Caring For Vintage China Tea Sets

Almost all of my vintage tea set collection is fine bone china

. Bone china is the hardest of all porcelain, and yes it does contain animal bone or rather bone ash which gives it its strength and whiteness.

Some of my collection of china is very old, but all of it is special and has survived for generations. If like me you love your china, here are my tips to keeping in in great condition. These tips will also ensure it lasts for future

generations.

With very old china it is advised not to submerge it in water at all. It is far better to wipe it with a soft wet non-abrasive cloth

and a small amount of mild detergent. Wipe the china again with a wet cloth to remove the detergent and dry thoroughly with a cotton tea towel that contains no fabric softener, as this can dull your china. This method can be applied for storing and display and always make sure that all of the pieces are thoroughly dry.

When storing your china, first wrap in tissue paper and then lots of bubble wrap. Never store in a cellar or an attic as the sudden change in temperature can damage your china. If your china is to go on display, do make sure that it is dry and your display is out of direct sunlight.

After using your vintage or new china tea set always try and dispose of any food, tea or coffee residues as soon as possible,

as this can stain and tarnish your china - this makes it more difficult to clean.

When removing food, always wipe gently and don't scrape food especially with anything metal. Rinse your cups in warm water and set aside - but don't stack. Put a tea towel at the bottom of the sink and one on the draining board. Wash one piece at a time in warm water with a mild detergent and with a soft non-abrasive cloth.

Rinse each item in warm water and place on the draining board, but fo not stack or pile the china on top of other objects. An even better scenario is to have someone drying as you go

along as this will cut down on breakages and provides a consistent washing and drying process.

For stubborn stains remove with a damp cloth dipped in a little bicarbonate of soda or cream of tartar. If stuck on food is a problem, leave your piece of china in warm water to soak for half an hour. This is the ideal time to check for cracks and

any other damage. If cracks are found it is advised to not use the item again for hot food or liquids, as a sudden change

in temperature can result in the crack widening and breaking the item.

I hope this article has been useful. Enjoy your china and long may it last.

by: Andrew Long

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