Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Inspecting Chinese Porcelain and Dishwasher
• Part 2 of 3: Washing Porcelain in the Dishwasher
• Part 3 of 3: Hand Washing Porcelain

The Chinese service is known for its sophisticated beauty and requires careful handling. While almost all porcelain should be hand washed, it can be dishwasher safe if prepared properly. If you decide to wash your china set in the dishwasher, be very careful not to repeat this procedure too often, as the dishwasher can weaken and even damage the china. Another option is to hand wash the Chinese porcelain, which will keep it better preserved.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Inspecting Chinese Porcelain and Dishwasher

1. 1 Make sure the china set is dishwasher sturdy enough. Examine the porcelain to see if it can handle washing in the dishwasher. There are two types of porcelain: Chinese porcelain and bone china. Both types are kiln fired at high temperatures, making them strong and dense enough to withstand occasional dishwasher cleaning.
   • Porcelain, which was made relatively recently (over the past 10-15 years), is strong enough to withstand washing in a dishwasher. Some porcelain manufacturers will mark the bottom of the porcelain as dishwasher safe.
   • If your porcelain is decorated with gilding or platinum, you may not want to run it through the dishwasher, as they can tarnish or react poorly to high temperatures.
   • Most porcelain products from the age of twenty are too delicate for the dishwasher or contain antique patterns. Dishwasher is too much of a risk to expose porcelain. Plus, if porcelain is a family heirloom, don't be too lazy to wash it by hand.
2. 2 Find out if the dishwasher has a delicate wash cycle. Most modern dishwashers have a special mode that is suitable for porcelain - delicate washing. Check if your dishwasher has a delicate mode.
   • Do not forget to also consider how gentle the dishwasher has on ordinary plates and dishes. Even if ordinary dishes are exposed to strong influences, this mode will not be delicate enough for porcelain.
3. 3 Use a mild liquid detergent that does not contain lemon or bleach. Use a mild liquid detergent as the powder can be too grainy and harsh for porcelain. Never use detergent in the dishwasher that is not intended for it, otherwise you risk breaking the dishwasher and leaving stains inside and on the dishes that cannot be removed.
   • Do not use liquid detergents that contain lemon extract or bleach, as the acids in these are too corrosive for porcelain.

Part 2 of 3: Washing Porcelain in the Dishwasher

1. 1 Use warm water and a rubber spatula to remove food particles from the porcelain. Do not leave food leftovers on the china for an extended period of time, as the acid in them can corrode the glaze on the china. If you don't have time to wash the porcelain right away, rinse it in warm water or rinse off food particles as soon as possible.
   • Do not scrape off food leftovers from the porcelain with cutlery, as they may scratch or damage the porcelain. Instead, gently remove food particles with warm water and a rubber spatula.
2. 2 Load porcelain into the dishwasher. Spread them evenly in the dishwasher so they don't bump into each other during washing. Make sure each plate and cup is securely seated in the dishwasher so that they do not collide and remain stationary. A loose china plate can cut into another dish, causing chips or other damage.
   • In addition, small items such as cutlery should be washed separately from porcelain if possible. Place ordinary dishes and cutlery separately from porcelain in the dishwasher, or wash them separately.
3. 3 Turn the machine on to the shortest and most delicate setting to avoid excessive heating of the porcelain during the wash process. Depending on the dishwasher, you may need to stop it before it goes to dry. This will prevent water washout on the porcelain and protect it from heat.
   • Remove the porcelain from the dishwasher and dry it with a towel. This will protect the porcelain from possible heat damage.

Part 3 of 3: Hand Washing Porcelain

1. 1 Wash the china as soon as possible. Do not leave food particles for long on the surface of the porcelain, as the acid in the food particles can damage the porcelain. Also, try not to soak the china in warm water overnight, as this can weaken it. Instead, roll up your sleeves and start washing the porcelain when you no longer need it. This ensures that food particles are removed from the surface of the porcelain without being damaged.
2. 2 Remove rings or jewelry from your hands. Remove rings or bracelets that might bump or hit the china during the wash process.
   • Place a thick towel or rubber mat on the bottom of the sink to protect the porcelain from scratching or chipping during washing.
   • Turn the faucet to the side or to another sink if you have two so as not to accidentally bump the porcelain on it.
3. 3 Use a soft cleaning tool such as a sponge or plastic brush. Clean the porcelain with a soft sponge, plastic brush, or rubber spatula.
   • Avoid metal implements such as steel wool or sponges with rough and abrasive surfaces. Do not scratch the surface of the porcelain with metal cutlery to avoid damaging it.
4. 4 Wash each item separately with warm water and a mild liquid detergent. Instead of stacking a china set on top of each other, lay it out on your kitchen counter and wash each set separately with warm water and a mild detergent that doesn't contain lemon or bleach.
   • Rinse each piece of the service slowly. Wipe the surface of the porcelain gently to avoid scratching it.
5. 5 Apply a mild detergent to coffee or tea stains. If there are coffee or tea stains on the china, use a mild detergent to clean them. Stains can also be gently removed with baking soda and water.
   • Use apple cider vinegar diluted in water to remove water stains from the porcelain, which usually occur when washing the service in the dishwasher and when the water stays on the porcelain for too long.
6. 6 Air dry the porcelain or dry it with a soft towel. After cleaning an item of the service, place it vertically in a wooden or plastic drying rack to allow the dishes to dry on their own. Or ask someone to help you dry it off with a soft towel.
   • When the china set is completely dry, store it by placing tissue, paper, or coffee filters between each plate and saucer. This will protect them from scratches and chips. Do not fold or hang porcelain tea cups.
   • If you use your china set less than once a year, make it a habit to wash it every year to preserve the glaze and paint.