Preserve your silver, pewter, crystal and china

Caring for your fine china, crystal, silver and pewter items is delicate work but well worth the effort.

• Crystal glasses are fragile. Store them right side up.
• This way you won't put pressure on the lip of the glasses, possibly causing them to crack.

• Never put crystal items in the dishwasher.
• They may crack or chip, and they will certainly fog from the heated water.
• Wash crystal items individually by hand in lukewarm soapy water with a mild soap. Rinse clear.

• Avoid wearing bracelets and rings when removing crystal from the cabinet.
• It's easy to crack the glass during a casual run-in with jewelry.

• Wrap silver in plastic wrap or washed cotton, linen or polyester to deter tarnish.
• You can also purchase specially designed bags or silver cloths to store your silver.
• Don't store in wool, felt, chamois or newspaper, which can induce tarnish or, by contact, remove silver plating.

• Don't put silver-plated utensils in the dishwasher.
• Detergents, high wash temperatures, and hot-air drying wear away the plating.
• Instead, hand-wash your plated silver and polish twice a year or so with a paste-style silver polish, sold in grocery stores and specialty houseware departments.

• Gently wash pewter by hand and dry it. Don't try to rub it until it shines.
• Pewter is meant to have a dull patina. It shouldn't look like silver.

• If you don't use your fine china much and don't display it in a china closet, consider purchasing quilted bags and pouches designed to protect china.
• They keep your dishes dust-free and prevent chipping.

• Antique hand-painted or metal-trimmed china should not be placed in the dishwasher, where harsh detergents and hot water may damage it.
• For a large set that you think may be suitable for the dishwasher, test by repeatedly washing one piece in the dishwasher over several weeks.
• Compare it to the rest of the set to see if it has faded.

• Whether you've inherited it or intend to pass your own on to your progeny, you'll be pleased to know that some fine china dinnerware can safely go into the dishwasher.
• Just be sure to use the proper settings — "light wash" or "china."
• Stack the dishes carefully to avoid knocking during the wash cycle. Set the dry cycle for air-dry to avoid exposure to high heat.

• Black marks may appear on china or other white dishes if aluminum utensils, even foil baking dishes, rub against the china during the wash cycle.
• Be sure to load the dishwasher so no aluminum touches the china.
• If black marks do occur on your china, use a plastic scouring pad and a mildly abrasive cleaner to gently scrub them off.

• Make tea stains disappear from fine china cups by mixing up a solution of 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) chlorine bleach in one litre (one quart) of water.
• Soak the stained cup for just a minute or two; then rinse immediately and thoroughly.