Once upon a time, newlyweds were given impressive dinner sets as gifts and would keep the plates stored and beautifully cared for over decades. Many of us even have memories of our grandparents carefully taking out the fancy China for special dinners with the family.
These days it’s common to place everything in the dishwasher before stacking the dinnerware away – this isn’t ideal for handmade ceramics, which can be more brittle than commercial dinnerware. If you’re treating yourself to a set of handmade ceramic dishes or giving a hand painted plate as a gift, you may be interested in the ways in which you can protect your ceramics for years to come.
Always handwash
The best way to keep your ceramics looking vibrant and protect the glaze from chips is to handwash with soap and water.
Putting ceramic dinnerware in the dishwasher isn’t recommended as the glaze on handmade ceramic plates and dishes is similar to glass and there’s a risk of chipping. Avoid abrasive cleaning tools and use a soft bristle brush to get rid of surface dirt gently.
Handle with care
Treat your dinnerware set gently and avoid any unnecessary impacts, clashes or drops. While ceramic objects can last forever, they are brittle and can be sensitive to sudden impacts.
Stack with a cloth
If you’re especially keen to preserve your ceramic plates for a very long time, storing them with care can make a big difference. Store them gently, placing a cloth in between each one when you do. Tea towels are perfect!
Display ceramic plates
Another way to store your ceramic platters and plates thoughtfully is to avoid stacking altogether. Put plates away upright – plate racks and separators are wonderful options for displaying and protecting your ceramic dinnerware set.
Plates, pots and more
If you are interested, please pop over to my Etsy shop to see the ceramic plates and other handmade pottery. You’ll find ceramics dipped in white and hand painted in blues, greens and pinks – all inspired by the rolling waves, craggy rocks and colourful sunsets of the South West coastline. Find my Etsy shop here.