6 Tips for Dinnerware Longevity and How to Care

Are you eating on nice or clean dinnerware? Nice plates are fancy plates that can be decorative, made from expensive materials, or both. But clean plates are germ-free, stain-free, and well-disinfected. 

It is a matter of fact that for ages, there has been no ultimate solution to increase the longevity of the dinner set. However, some tips and tricks and do’s and don’ts are being followed everywhere to keep the cherished dinnerware protected and close to heart. 

But with the modern age of technology, we need more than tips and tricks. For example, the increase in the usage of microwaves, dishwashers, and ovens has put dinner sets at risk. So we need to understand the science behind dinnerware to extend its shelf life.

The following six useful tips can help you keep your tableware durable and clean while setting up a great meal.

Hand Washing  

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It is an old-age practice to clean the dinner set with your hands. The three basic steps in hand washing dinnerware are:

1. Scrubbing the dishes to remove leftovers.
2. Soaking it in the soapy solution.
3. Cleaning them with clean water.

This process does not require any electricity or machinery. Therefore, it is an energy saver procedure.

Hand washing dishes is a complete process, which ends with drying the dinnerware. You may air-dry them or wipe them with towels. Air drying can be achieved by keeping them on dish racks separately, e.g., glasses on glass holders, plates and trays in one section, and hanging cutlery stands. This might leave water stains and look ugly on the dinner set.

To prevent stains, wipe them with towels and place them in their respective places. To keep on checking the cross-contamination, you may use different towels for different dinnerware. 

Manual cleaning is a human-proof and germ-free (most of the time) procedure to wash dinner sets. Holding fragile materials carefully and sustainably using the resources can only be achieved by hand washing them. That is why hand washing dishes is the safest and gentlest way to clean them.

Dishwasher

Since the 19th century, the dishwasher has superseded chiefly the hand-washing procedure. It is a time-saver and energy-efficient method of washing dinnerware. 

How is it more advantageous than hand washing?

1. A dishwasher uses 7-10 liters of water, whereas hand washing uses 30-40 liters.
2. The dishwasher requires 3-5 ml of cleaning solution, which is way less than hand washing, which requires nearly 10 ml.
3. No need to dry the dishwasher-cleaned dinner set separately.
4. Dishes cleaned in the dishwasher only had a 0.2% bacterium presence, compared to 30% when washed by hand.

How is technology changing the way we clean dinnerware?

Those days are gone when the primary worry of large gatherings was clearing the dishes. Cleaning dinnerware has become easier because of technological advancements such as self-regulating and multi-functional equipment that save you time. 

You have an IoT (Internet of Things) dishwasher, which you can operate even when you are not at home or near the dishwasher. You can start, pause or resume cleaning your delicate dinner set with just a single click.

Temperature Control 

It is essential to notice the material of dinnerware, which can withstand high and cold temperatures. All materials are not oven safe. Similarly, only some materials are safe for dishwashers too.

Few tips while taking care of your dinnerware

1. Use heat-resistant cookware inside the microwave. 
2. Do not keep metal-coating (gold, brass, silver) dinner set in a heated area. 
3. While using a microwave, cover the food with aluminum foil to prevent overcooking. This will also prevent the sticking of food. 
4. A dishwasher uses hot water, which might not be favorable for plastic or porcelain. 
5. You may use metal finishing porcelain in the oven, but not in a microwave. 
6. Use heat-resistant glassware inside the microwave and oven.

Smart Storage

You must store the dinnerware smartly if you want to keep it longer. It is a place that requires skill to store the dinner set in its respective safe place. 

Tips for properly storing your dinnerware safely and efficiently

1. Store your dinner set in a china cabinet. It serves as a purpose of decoration and safe storage space for them. 
2. Wrap every dinnerware separately with paper to avoid scratches and friction. 
3. While storing them in a box, place the plates vertically. It will lessen the likelihood of dinner set breaking. 
4. Bubble wrap every single piece of dinner set to prevent collision and breakage. 
5. Hang the fine cutlery on a stand. If it has a glass covering, it will prevent the formation of a dust layer on it. 
6. To keep the cabinet stable and make unloading easier, stack plates on top of one another. It saves space too.

Handle with Care

If you want to keep the shine, color, and prints of dinner set as it was during your purchase, you must handle them carefully. You must read the care instructions included in the leaflet because different materials require different handling techniques. 

Easy tips for handling dinnerware are

1. Avoid sudden temperature changes in dinnerware, e.g., keeping hot ware on cold surfaces, putting cold ware in microwave/oven.
2. To prevent stains, place acid-free paper between each plate.
3. Do not use metal polishing (gold, silver, platinum) dinner set in the microwave.
4. Handle a single piece at once while shifting the storage places. 
5. Never expose your dinner set to direct gas stove flames or burners.
6. Use mild cleaning agents on expensive and decorative dinnerware.
7. Use a soft sponge while scrubbing the dinnerware. Avoid metal scrubbers during washing.
8. Avoid soaking polished cutlery overnight.

Non Toxic Cleaning Products

We all have discussed before the importance of washing and cleaning dinnerware. Choose mild cleaning products if you want to take care of your dinner set and increase its longevity. Now comes the advanced actor in a play, i.e., non toxic cleaning products.

What to look for while choosing the right cleaning products?

1. Environment-friendly products should be used, as they will cause less environmental harm.
2. Plant-based cleaning products are natural and safe for use.
3. Avoid lather-based products, as they demand more water and leave residues.
4. Always check the smell of the products, as a strong smell may irritate the user. 
5. Examine the ingredients to ensure your products are allergen-free for your skin. 
6. Do not use lemon-based cleaning products on polished metallic surfaces, as this will discolor them. 

Conclusion

We have reached a point where we made you aware of 6 practical tips and numerous suggestions while taking care of your dinnerware. The cleaning and caring of dinner set have evolved from hand washing (traditional way) to dishwasher (contemporary method). Metallic coverings and finishes are given additional attention while cleaning with hot water and a harsh chemical agent. We’ve also summed up a few do’s and don’ts while operating a microwave/oven. Therefore, consider these tips when you handle dinnerware inside or outside the dining area. 

Frequently Asked Questions

References:

1. Ohio State University. (2007, March 8). Manual Dishwashing Study Digs Up Dirt On Dish Cleanliness. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070226131510.htm

2. (2017, January 19). Dishwasher Buying Guide – What to look for when buying a dishwasher? MISS TAM CHIAK. https://www.misstamchiak.com/dishwasher/