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Whether you\u2019re entertaining for the holidays or simply decided to use the good china<\/a> on your average Wednesday night, chances are you\u2019ve considered the best (and quickest) way to clean<\/a> these treasured items. It can be tempting to load everything into the dishwasher and hope for the best, but if you\u2019re working with heirlooms<\/a>, Elizabeth Shields, operations manager at\u00a0Super Cleaning Service, Louisville,<\/a>\u00a0advises thinking again. \u201cOnce damaged, no repair or replacement can bring that history back,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n While the hand-painted finishes and metal detailing of our passed-down patterns<\/a> are more susceptible to losing their luster in the dishwasher, newer china made in the past 20 years might be safe for a delicate load. Mattia Sala, product manager at SMEG USA<\/a>, hopes the ability to safely put china in the dishwasher<\/a> without fear of damage will help entice homeowners to bust out the good stuff more often. With that in mind, Sala and Shields share everything you need to know about putting your china in the dishwasher\u2014without making Grandma cringe.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Shields is the operations manager at\u00a0Super Cleaning Service, Louisville<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Mattia Sala is a product manager at SMEG USA<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Dishwasher damage can be sneaky. A little tap can be all it takes to chip a rim, Shields says, plus even if your dishes look okay coming out of the machine, they could be more fragile and susceptible to damage next time. For these reasons, the cleaning pro says it\u2019s best to focus on prevention, rather than repair. \u201cThat gold rim on your grandma\u2019s heirloom saucer will never shine like it did originally,\u201d she says. \u201cIf dishes get warped or slightly bent, you can\u2019t reshape porcelain without breaking it.\u201d<\/p>\n That being said, using your dishwasher to care for china that is safe for machine cleaning can help simplify its care, making it easier to reach for your treasured pieces the next time you set the table. According to a recent survey<\/a> conducted by Talker Research on behalf of SMEG, \u00a0almost half of homeowners don\u2019t use their special occasion items every day because of the fear of damage. Confirming the proper care required of your special pieces can help preserve their beauty and ensure you get them on the table far more often.<\/p>\n Knowing whether or not your china is safe for the dishwasher is important for mitigating the risk associated with improper care. Sala says an easy way to determine if you\u2019re in the clear to go ahead and load that washer up is by checking the bottom of your china. Modern pieces will likely be marked with a stamp that confirms they\u2019re dishwasher safe. \u201cIf there is no marking, the china is older than 20 years old, hand-painted, or has metal detailing, it is not advised to use the dishwasher,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019ve checked all the boxes and your pattern is safe for machine washing, Shields recommends inspecting pieces prior to loading. If you spot any cracks, handwash instead<\/a>, as these pieces are already compromised and a dishwasher cycle\u2014no matter how gentle\u2014could compound the damage. Handwashing eight 40-piece place settings can be a chore, but when it comes to Grandma\u2019s passed-down china, we would rather be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve determined your china is safe for the dishwasher<\/a>, there\u2019s still the matter of which settings to use. Sala and Shields share their best tips for ensuring clean dishes without a scratch to show for it.<\/p>\n Face Your Plates Inward \u2013<\/strong> \u201cPut items that are safe to wash on the top rack only, facing inward and not touching other pieces,\u201d advises Shields. \u201cBowls should nest lightly and cups should sit angled so water can run off.\u201d Always ensure your heavier items are far away on the bottom rack to avoid any jostling or bumping.<\/p>\n Utilize the Third Rack \u2013<\/strong> If your dishwasher has a third rack, Sala recommends using it for smaller items like cutlery, short glassware, and espresso cups. \u201cThis leaves space for bulkier items on the bottom rack, avoids precarious stacking, and keeps higher temperature water at a distance to avoid any damage,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Go For Gentle Detergent \u2013<\/strong> Sala recommends using half the usual amount of gentle detergent. This can help preserve the luster and appearance of your fine china by not exposing it to the harsher chemicals found in heavier duty formulas.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Neglect Specialty Features \u2013<\/strong> If you\u2019re lucky enough to have a dishwasher with specialty features like SMEG\u2019s WinePro, an accessory included in their new line of dishwashers that allows for better handling of delicate items like stemware, use it. Oftentimes it can make it possible to dishwash items that would otherwise need to be handwashed. <\/p>\n Always Use the Gentle Cycle<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Don\u2019t just set it and forget it. Toggling your dishwasher settings based on the contents is just as important as reconfiguring your clothes washer\u2019s settings with each load. Sala recommends looking for programs like Crystal, Delicate, or China, as these are usually the most gentle programming options available on your unit. They\u2019ll utilizer lower water temperatures and use softer sprays. \u201cIf your machine has an \u2018air dry\u2019 or \u2018energy saver\u2019 option, use it,\u201d says Shields. \u201cIf not, cancel the heated dry and crack the door open a little after the rinse to speed air drying.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the original article on Southern Living<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nMeet the Experts<\/h3>\n
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Why Proper Care Matters<\/h2>\n
How To Know If Your China Pattern Is Safe for Dishwashing<\/h2>\n
Dishwasher Settings for Washing China<\/h2>\n