How to Care for Vintage Bone China and Porcelain

Vintage bone china and porcelain were made to be used — a teacup from the 1960s is happy to hold tea today. A little care keeps the glaze bright, the gold rims shining and the colours as Marina found them.

Washing

Wash by hand, one piece at a time, in warm (not hot) water with a mild washing-up liquid. Use a soft cloth or sponge — never a scourer.

Avoid the dishwasher. Its heat and strong detergent slowly dull hand-painted decoration and wear away gold and platinum trims; the damage cannot be undone.

Do not soak pieces with gold or lustre decoration, or pieces that are crazed (fine lines in the glaze): water can seep under the glaze and stain.

Let the water cool before you add a cup that has been out in a cold room — sudden changes of temperature can crack old china.

Gold rims and the microwave

Never put a piece with gold, silver or platinum decoration in the microwave: the metal sparks and burns off. Keep gilded china away from the oven as well.

To brighten dull gilding, a soft dry cloth is enough. Skip silver polish and abrasive cleaners — they take the gold with them.

Stains

Tea stains inside a cup usually lift with a paste of baking soda and a little water, rubbed gently with a soft cloth and rinsed. Test on the bottom of the cup first, and keep the paste away from gold.

Storing and stacking

Store teacups on their bases rather than hanging them by the handle — old handles can be the weakest point.

Put a paper napkin, felt or a coffee filter between stacked plates and saucers so the glaze of one does not scratch the next.

Figurines and display

Dust figurines with a soft, dry make-up brush; it reaches fingers, lace and petals without catching on them.

Keep porcelain out of strong direct sunlight and away from radiators. Use plate stands or a plate rail with soft grips for wall plates, and check that the hanger fits the plate's size.

In a cabinet, leave a little space between pieces so they do not knock together when the door closes.

When something chips

Keep every fragment in a small bag. A professional china restorer can often make a repair almost invisible, which matters for value — avoid household glue on a collectible piece.