TL;DR: Clean porcelain dinnerware with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge, avoiding abrasives and sudden temperature changes. Repair chips and cracks with food-safe epoxy or porcelain touch-up glaze, and reserve heavily damaged pieces for decorative use only.
Daily Cleaning
Wash porcelain plates, bowls, and serving pieces by hand in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a soft sponge or nylon brush, and rinse thoroughly. If your porcelain is labeled dishwasher-safe, place items in the top rack, use a gentle cycle, and choose a phosphate-free detergent. Skip the heated drying cycle to prevent thermal shock.
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Removing Stains and Marks
For tea, coffee, or grease stains, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it with a soft cloth, let it sit for five minutes, then rinse. For metal marks left by silverware, use a damp cloth with a small amount of non-gel toothpaste and rub gently. Never use steel wool, scouring pads, or bleach on decorated porcelain.
Handling and Storage
Stack plates with felt pads, paper plates, or coffee filters between them. Store cups upright, not on their rims. Avoid stacking heavy pieces on delicate ones. Keep porcelain away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, which can fade patterns and weaken glaze.
Repairing Chips and Cracks
For small chips on the rim, clean the area with rubbing alcohol. Apply a food-safe epoxy designed for ceramics, following the package instructions. Let it cure fully before use. For hairline cracks, use a porcelain touch-up glaze or ceramic repair kit. If the crack goes through the piece or the item leaks, stop using it for food. Display it as a decorative object instead.
Dealing with Crazing
Crazing looks like fine spiderweb lines in the glaze. It is common in older porcelain. If the crazing is only on the surface and the piece is not cracked through, you can still use it for dry foods. For wet foods, avoid it because bacteria can settle in the lines. Clean crazed pieces with a baking soda paste and rinse well.
What to Avoid
Never pour boiling water into a cold porcelain cup or place a hot dish on a cold counter. Do not use lemon juice, vinegar, or acidic cleaners on gold or platinum trim. Avoid microwave use unless the piece is marked microwave-safe. Skip the oven unless the manufacturer says it is oven-safe.
FAQ
Q: Can I use super glue to fix a chipped porcelain plate?
A: No. Standard super glue is not food-safe and can break down with heat and moisture. Use a food-safe epoxy or ceramic repair adhesive instead.
Q: Is it safe to eat off porcelain with crazing?
A: It depends. Dry foods are generally fine, but avoid wet or acidic foods because bacteria can hide in the cracks and glaze may flake.
Q: How do I remove gray fork marks from my porcelain dinner plates?
A: Rub the marks gently with a damp cloth and a little non-gel toothpaste or baking soda paste, then rinse. Do not use abrasive pads.