Over time, your beloved bone white china plates can become scratched and stained with use. You might be debating whether to throw them out but be loathe to part with your treasured wedding china or much-loved family items. Here’s how to repair white china so that no matter how many scratch marks white china has, you can restore it to its former glory.
Although all good manufacturers should glaze their white china plates to prevent scratches, over time, general wear and tear will lead to scuffs and damage. The better the quality of your white china mugs and dinnerware, the longer it takes before these scuffs and scratches appear. Cutlery and any metal objects used on your china can leave marks and scratches on the surface of your ceramics.
To remove these marks, put on a pair of gloves and use baking soda, mild washing-up soap and a soft cloth (not a metal scouring pad as this will make the marks worse). Before you begin washing your plates, combine baking soda and warm water and test the underside of your plate to make sure the colour and design stay fast. If successful, make a mixture of four teaspoons baking soda and two teaspoons of warm water, and place on the scuffed or scratched areas of your white china plates. Then using dish soap on the scouring pad, start to scrub the area and rinse with water every few minutes to make sure the scratches are fading.
Now you’ve removed your scuffs and scratches to repair white china, you can stop them building up again with a few simple steps. Place your cutlery and white china separately in your dishwasher to prevent scuffing, and do not clean with abrasive products as this may make the scratches worse. If you’ve got white china and a stainless steel sink, try to avoid rubbing white plates against the metal rack as this may also cause scuffs.
Before removing stains, wash your white bone china in mild dish soap, then use a cotton swab to clean the stain with nail varnish remover and wash it off. Grey food stains can be removed with toothpaste, warm water and a soft cloth, while more stubborn stains can be rubbed with a mild abrasive. After, you can polish your white china using salt or baking soda. Watermarks can be removed by soaking your plates in a vinegar and water solution overnight, then using a china-friendly water stain remover.
The most common cause of stains is tea and coffee marks, particularly on china cups, mugs or inside teapots. Exposure to hard water can also cause marks over time, while tomato-based products can cause food-stains.
When you repair white china or remove the scratch marks white china has collected, you should avoid the following:
Are you looking for high-quality trade white china or are you looking for the perfect set for your home? Contact Buttercup China today for more information on our white bone china products.
