How to Remove the Smell off of your stocked Antique Dinnerware

Hand wash all of the dinnerware using a mild liquid dish soap and cool water.

Place the dinnerware in a well ventilated area and allow it to sit out for several days with plenty of airflow. An outdoor carport or a covered porch is ideal locations for airing out dishes.

Fill a large storage container with enough hydrogen peroxide to completely submerge the dinnerware. Place the dinnerware in the storage bin and then seal it tightly to protect against evaporation. Leave the dinnerware to soak in the hydrogen peroxide for somewhere between two and four weeks.

Remove dinnerware from hydrogen peroxide. Re-wash the dinnerware with cool water and a mild liquid dish soap to remove all traces of the hydrogen peroxide.

Additional Dinnerware Tips

• Remove dinnerware from sources of mothball odor before starting the cleaning process. Hydrogen peroxide will also brighten the dinnerware.

• You can also try washing the dinnerware with vinegar in place of a mild dish soap, but remember that vinegar has its own odor and many people do not find the aroma of vinegar much more appealing than they find the smell of mothballs.

• Test process on a piece of the dinnerware before you attempt to treat the entire set of dinnerware to make sure your specific items will not be damaged during the process.

• Do not bleach dinnerware, as it will cause discoloration.

 

Cleaning Villeroy and Boch Dishware the Easy Way

Villeroy and Boch is durable and virtually indestructible dishware, cookware and bakeware. Dishes and cookware that are used in the microwave and oven can often get stained and marked up. Don’t despair, those baked-in stains and grease marks can be removed. With a few simple steps you can make your Villeroy and Boch dishes look like new

Preparing a Cleaner for Villeroy and Boch

The ideal cleaner for Villeroy and Boch is a mixture of a few different items that you probably have in your home: Dish detergent, vinegar, baking soda and hot water. Prepare a sink full of hot water with just a few drops of detergent, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Place the Villeroy and Boch into the sink and pour in one cup of vinegar. When the vinegar and baking soda meet there will be a fizzing chemical reaction.

Soaking

Allow the dishes to soak in the sink overnight. This will give the natural cleansing properties of the vinegar and baking soda time to work at loosening grease stains and baked-on food marks. Dish detergent is formulated to lift away dirt and debris and disperse it into the water.  Soaking cuts down on you wasting effort in scrubbing at the stains before they are loosened.

Cleaning

In the morning, dip a damp cloth into baking soda and use it to rub any stains or marks that you can still see on the Villeroy and Boch. Baking soda is a gentle scrubbing product that won’t damage or scratch your dishes. Rinse well with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Your Villeroy and Boch should now be free of yellowish grease stains and baked-on foods and will look like new. You can repeat this process as often as your Villeroy and Boch needs it.

 

 

How to Clean Your Wedgwood Jasperware

Developed by Josiah Wedgwood, Jasperware is a stoneware or pottery that has a matte finish. Delicate with a striking appearance, Wedgewood Jasperware will bring you a lifetime of use.

Unfortunately, many common household products and cleaning tools can damage the Jasperware. Abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and dishwashers can mar your Wedgewood Jasperware beyond repair.

Fortunately, with the proper cleaning instructions and a few common household items you can keep your stoneware looking its best Line the bottom of a clean sink with several soft cloths to help protect the delicate pottery from chips and damage caused by the hard sink bottom.

Fill a clean sink with warm water. Add several drops of mild dish soap and mix the soap and water together with your hand. Submerge the Wedgewood Jasperware carefully in the warm water. Wash the stoneware with a soft cloth and the soapy water.

Remove stuck on grime by scrubbing gently with a soft toothbrush. Sprinkle baking soda on the toothbrush to clean any hard to remove grime on the Jasperware. Rinse the Wedgwood Jasperware with cool water and dry with a soft towel.

 

How to find replacements for discontinued China

Many times china dishes and other pieces get broken or misplaced leaving a collection incomplete. Discontinued china pieces from sets or pattern collections may be hard to find, but there are many sources available to replace these pieces. Most of the popular china pieces by makers, such as Royal Doulton, Mikasa, Waterford China, Lenox, Wedgwood and others can be located for replacement. Use these steps to help you find discontinued replacement china.

Identify the discontinued china pattern and manufacturer. Most china collectibles are marked with the pattern number and with the maker’s name on the back. Look for the pattern and maker under china dishes, cups and saucers you may still have. Note if there is a year of make identifiable on the back of the pieces for dating.

Take pictures of the discontinued china collectibles. If you don’t understand the markings on the back of the china, take pictures of whatever you may have remaining. Make sure the pictures are clear so that the maker and pattern can be read by a knowledgeable person.

Visit manufacturers internet sites to find discontinued china. If you can identify the china maker go to the website and find any remaining inventory. Contact the maker by e-mail, telephone or fax and describe the pieces needed. The china maker may have inventory left at warehouses, factory outlets or retail stores.

Use a china replacement service company. There are many china matching and china dinnerware replacement companies online. Access these services database and look for matching pieces for your china collections. If you know your china pattern or manufacturer these databases can be searched using them. Some of the china replacement services accept pictures that are used to further identify china patterns and makers and to locate pieces.

Find local dealers of collectibles china, eBay sellers, flea markets, consignment shops, hotels and estate sales. Discontinued china can be replaced using these additional sources. Talk to dealers and shop owners; they may be able to locate your china collectibles from other retail dealers.

 

 

Villeroy and Boch China Collector’s Delight

Set the table with Villeroy and Boch china place settings of dinnerware, stemware and flatware. There are endless patterns to catch any collector’s eye, so it is a personal preference. The most collectible pieces are those that have already been retired. If you are fortunate enough to have place settings and are missing a few or want to add to your collection, search “replacement Villeroy and Boch” on the Internet. There are also many ads in the back of women’s magazines that provide phone numbers and web addresses for these companies.

You can also shop on any fine jewelry stores and high-end department stores that carry Villeroy and Boch china products. Their sales staff should be able to help you in ordering pieces of china to complete your settings or collections as long as these pieces are still in production. For retired pieces, another option is to try antique dealers that specialize in china

Collect the Christmas collection patterns. There have been many over the years. Each year there are new pieces added to the already existing pattern collections. In addition, Villeroy and Boch make a variety of Christmas ornaments, which are very collectible. Any of these would make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone that collects the Christmas pieces.

Celebrate birthdays, weddings and new babies with collecting Villeroy and Boch China’s birthday giftware, animal figurines, china and crystal vases and baby keepsakes. There are new additions added to these every year. These are available at fine jewelry stores and high-end department stores.

Start a historical collection of Villeroy and Boch china. Options include collecting a place setting of each china dinnerware pattern that has graced the dining table in Vatican. There have also been patterns used for many years back in embassies, governors’ mansions and royalty palaces.

Begin at the beginning and collect a place setting of each china dinnerware pattern that Villeroy and Boch China has produced from the first pattern up to present day. It would be quite an extensive collection.

Fill your collector’s china cabinet with all the retired patterns that Villeroy and Boch China has produced. These may be harder to come by, but would be a very impressive collection to have. Antique-china dealers, flea markets and Internet auction sites may all be helpful in locating all the pieces to your china pattern puzzle.

 

English Classic Tea Sets

Tea sets have changed regularly over the years since tea first became sufficiently common in England and Europe to warrant its own service pieces. The term “proper English tea set” isn’t precise. However, understanding the history and development of tea services can help you choose a set that is proper in regard to both tradition and the use you intend for it.

European Tea Services

Tea became popular in Europe during the 1600s. At this time in France a form of tea service developed that established the core pieces. Services were often made of silver, pewter or other metals, as these would go with almost any porcelain used for tableware. By creating a very clear serving set there was less need to consider the pattern of the cups, saucers, plates for foods to be presented with tea, and the flatware.

The Developing Central Pieces

Over time, the central pieces of a classic tea set came to include a tea pot, usually short and stout to allow tea leaves room to expand and steep; a coffee pot for those not interested in tea; a waste bowl to receive spent leaves before brewing a new pot from fresh water; a sugar bowl or basket and a creamer; and a tea caddy to hold the dry tea leaves before brewing. In some instances a matching silver serving tray was included as part of the set.

China and an Expanding Selection

During the Victorian era, the high standards of English bone china combined with a tendency to elaborate almost all aspects of place setting and food presentation led to extensive sets with specialized serving pieces and tools. Bone china sets were often in a single china pattern, with serving plates, cups, saucers and individual plates, plus specialized serving plates for foods all matching. In this situation a tea set could grow almost indefinitely, allowing owners to elaborate their sets with add-ons. Simplification

During the 20th century, simplicity regained control, and in the process some classic elements of the tea set altered. Coffee pots, while often part of modern silver sets, are commonly left out of china sets entirely. The waste bowl, which was used to contain spent leaves, seldom appears in any tea modern tea set. Instead, sieves and strainers are used to contain the leaves, and are removed before serving. The sugar bowl and creamer remain part of a service. In the case of a fine china tea set, one usually purchases at least four cups and saucers to go with the core serving set. This leaves two different versions of tea services-those produced in metals, and those produced in fine china. The metal sets tend to include tea pot, coffee pot, sugar bowl or basket, creamer and often a matching tray. China sets generally include a tea pot, sugar bowl, creamer and a set of four matching cups and saucers.

Expansion

China tea sets are still expandable. The expansion options are usually more limited, as there is little modern demand for highly specialized pieces. Common expansions include add-on sets of cups and saucers, matching plates of salad or lunch size, and matching presentation servers for foods. It is not uncommon to find small food items served on a metal three-tiered stand used to hold plates of a pattern matching or complementing the primary tea set. Similarly, full-sized plates or even platters of a matching or coordinating pattern are within the bounds of a proper English tea set. However, remember that beyond the core pieces of a service, additional pieces are flexible and can be assembled at the discretion of the owner. When in doubt, the primary concern is preference, rather than bondage to a set pattern.

Wedgwood Tea Services

Wedgwood is one of the reasons why tea service in Europe has expanded worldwide. Josiah made a new material that will be enjoyed cheaper by many European. Before there are only tea services, and they are all imported from china. Being that expensive, it is exclusive to those people that can afford them with hefty sum of money.

 

How to Remove Scratches from Wedgwood Stoneware

Wedgwood stoneware is strong and durable, yet like most brands of stoneware, the plates and dishes can become scratched from everyday use. A scratch on your Wedgwood stoneware shows up as a black mark or streak across the stone.

The scratches are most often the result of abrasions caused by eating and serving utensils. You can remove scratches from Wedgwood stoneware in the same manner you would remove scratches from any stoneware–with baking soda.

Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of water. Stir to make a thick paste. Add a little more baking soda if the mixture is too thin. Add a little more water if the mixture is so thick. Dampen a soft sponge with water. Rub the black scratch marks on the Wedgwood stoneware with the sponge. Rub the length of the scratch in a back and forth motion until it disappears. Dampen the sponge as necessary, but do not soak it too much. Fill the sink with warm water and add a few squirts of dish soap.

Wash the Wedgwood stoneware in the sink with a soft cloth. And Finally, Set the stoneware in a dish drainer to drip dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you keep your sponge damp at all times when you are removing scratches from Wedgwood stoneware. If the sponge becomes dry, it may scratch the stoneware even more. • Avoid using metal utensils with Wedgwood stoneware. • Wash Wedgwood stoneware immediately after using it. Don’t let foods dry and become caked on the stoneware. • Do not use an abrasive sponge on Wedgwood stoneware.

 

How to register for a fine dinnerware

Sure, you have a long “to do” wedding list, but hold everything! Wedding and shower guests will be checking your bridal registry, so make the decisions now. Follow these steps and you’ll be checking off “register for dinnerware” from that “to do” list today!

Choose the best place to register for your dinnerware. Many national chains that carry fine china and casual dinnerware provide online shopping. This service makes the process super simple not only for the bride but also for guests who may live all over the country. Even if you live in a small town where these stores are not available, you can still include this service for convenience to guests. Just add an online registry option along with a store’s registry.

Now, it’s time to choose your dinnerware. It’s a good idea to visit a store where you can get an up close and personal look at the china. You’ll want to consider style, color, and weight, as well as use and cost. If you want to use your dinnerware every day, select a pattern that will withstand repeated dishwasher use. If your fine china is very expensive, you may end up with 12 salad plates and one dinner plate! So, consider carefully before you make a final decision.

A wedding consultant will help guide you through the actual registry process if you are in-store. Or, look for an online registry kiosk in major department stores, but ask for help if you have any problems. If you opt to register online from the privacy of your own computer, you’ll find the sites user-friendly, with easy-to-follow directions.

Do let friends and family know where your fine dinnerware is registered. Make sure that anyone planning a wedding shower for you knows about your bridal registry, too.

Now, you can get to work on other wedding plans. You may receive updates or requests to pick up gifts from the store if you have not made plans to send the dinnerware to an address. Of course, if you’ve registered online, you can always check the site to see how your dinnerware is stacking up!

 

Types of Fine Porcelain

Porcelain has been gracing homes all over the world for hundreds of years. There are basically two types of porcelain. Soft paste porcelain is really a false porcelain made from white firing clay mixed with glass, bone ash or soapstone (steatite). Hard paste porcelain is made from china clay and china stone, both forms of decomposed granite. When the two are fired together at around 2,462 degrees Fahrenheit (1,350 degrees Celsius) they create hard paste porcelain, or petuntse.

Chinese and Japanese Porcelain

The Chinese perfected the production of hard paste porcelain in the 9th century A.D. Hard paste porcelain only began to be mastered in Europe in the early 18th century. Chinese artisans created some of the most exquisite porcelain ever made, like eggshell porcelain bowls and vases from the 18th century — the porcelain is called eggshell because it is so fine you can see light through it. Other exquisite works are dishes and bowls from the Ch’ien Lung era (1736-1795), bowls and figurines from the Ming Dynasty and examples of Chinese export porcelain. Japanese porcelains are as beautiful as the Chinese and more delicate looking. Noritake’s plates, cups, saucers, sugar bowls and other tableware are not only gorgeous, but good for everyday use. Satsuma and Hirado (Mikawachi) style vases, jars and teapots, many not only decorated with flowers and birds but embellished with gilt, are collector items. Kutani porcelain bowls, dishes and tea sets, glazed and painted with bold colors, are also impressive.

Sevres

Sevres porcelain of France has been in business since 1756 and is still in operation despite many setbacks and takeovers. The plates, urns, covered bowls, teapots and other items are breathtakingly elegant, so much so that items from Sevres began to be called “jeweled Sevres.”

Villeroy and Boch and Lenox

Germany’s Villeroy and Boch also makes very fine porcelain and other house wares. Some of their products are traditional, like flowered teacups with scalloped edges. Other pieces are more modern, with a more streamlined shape and pastel colors. Lenox, an American company, is famous for the dinner services made for the White House. Dinnerware made for more ordinary folk comes in all manner of delicious patterns, including Dandy Lane, Wisteria and Iced Pirouette. Lenox also makes figurines, including Disney figurines, and its more casual dinnerware is affordable. They also make gifts for special occasions like graduation, birthdays and new babies.

 

How to Spot German Steins From Marks

Lids on drinking cups became common as a sanitary practice after bubonic plague swept Europe in the 1600s. The earliest examples of German steins, made of clay by Kreussen in the 17th century, are museum pieces now. In the 18th century, Villeroy and Boch, still a maker of fine china, started producing beautifully decorated steins with the mark Mettlach.

The fanciful scenes on beer steins include fairies, animals and the mark on the bottom of a stein can be pressed into the clay during manufacturing or painted on as a label. Not all German steins, especially antiques, will bear a “Made in Germany” designation. German words, such as Musterschutz and Gengen Nachbildung Geschützt, mean trademark and patent protection and does not represent a specific manufacturer.

Beer stein manufacturers starting in the 1900s used geometric shapes, a picture or a monogram to identify their brand. Examples are: an X with the letters D, B on the ends (Dumler and Breiden); triangle shapes with a T inside and a circle with R, M (Reinhold Merkelbach). Beer steins are made by scores of companies, and each will have its own symbol. A stein with no mark suggests it is a cheap reproduction.

Villeroy and Boch, the maker of fine Dresden china, has a variety of elaborate medallion shapes on its steins with V, B and sometimes the word Mettlach, the town where the factory is located.

An elaborate, twisted ,wood-like or vine-shaped handle is common to the Matthias Girmscheid brand but is seen in other manufacturers. These handles are decorated with berries and leaves.

A colorful scene on a lidless stein. A heavy pewter lid is common to authentic German steins. The lid might contain an inlay of porcelain. Less desirable is a thin pewter lid with a cone shape that could contain lead. An authentic stein can be found without a lid because it was manufactured that way or it has been lost.