Fine china is a delicate and expensive type of dinnerware. Improper storage can cause scratches, chips, and cracks, diminishing the value of the items.
You may wonder: how to store your fine china? Proper storage can protect the quality of your fine china items for a long time.
In this guide, we’ll explore tips and best practices for storing fine china, as experts in the field recommended.
Storing fine china properly is essential to protect them from damage. Let me give you seven helpful tips to make this process easier!
1. Use a Display Cabinet
The first tip I would like to share with you today is to use a cabinet. If you really love your fine china, don’t hesitate to buy a new high-quality display cabinet. It will definitely not be a waste of money.
A glass-fronted cabinet would be your best choice. It protects your beloved fine china from dust and your reckless guests.
The main point you should remember when storing your loved fine china is always to keep enough space between them.
Fine china is much more delicate than other casual dinnerware. So if you place them too tight, they can easily bump into each other and crack.
The temperature inside the cabinet is another crucial factor to pay attention to. Too high or too cold temperatures could both crack your delicate fine china.
Of course, if you can’t find a spare space in your kitchen for a separate cabinet, a separate shelf in your cupboard is a compromise.
But you should choose the bottom one. This way, you could minimize the impact when you take objects from the higher shelves.
2. Use Soft Padding
When storing fine china, you should leave spare space between them, but it isn’t enough. You should also add soft padding to protect your plates, cups, and other delicate items better.
People often use soft padding made from felt or cotton, but it must be acid-free.
When stacking plates or bowls, remember to add several sheets of bubble wrap, packing paper, or even cloth to save your items from scratches and chips.
But never use newspapers or other materials that can leave ink or other stains on the china because it may be impossible to remove them altogether.
In general, soft padding is necessary to keep fine china from damage and remain in good condition for the future.
3. Stack Plates Vertically
When putting plates into the cabinet, you should always stack them vertically.
You should clean and dry your plates first. Because when you put wet items on the cabinet, they can easily be subject to mold plus mildew and then destroy their appearance.
You should wrap each plate with packing paper or tissue. If you cover more than one plate together, the plate can cause chips and scratches to the next one.
Next, hold each plate carefully with both hands and place them one by one. It is important to divide the weight evenly to avoid any cracks or breaks.
But if you don’t have enough space and have to stack your plates. Don’t stack too many in one stack. You should only stack four to six plates per stack, depending on the size and weight of the plates.
This helps prevent unnecessary pressure or strain on the plates at the bottom of the stack.
4. Store Cups and Saucers Separately
Fine china cups and saucers are delicate, so you must apply appropriate methods to avoid damage.
Storing cups and saucers together may help you save room in the cabinet, but it will cause them to rub against each other and result in scratches or chips. The ideal way is still to store the cups and saucers separately.
Hanging cups by the handles can make your cabinet tidier and more beautiful. But handles are the weakest point. Then your cups can fall and break.
Instead, put them on their base just like serving them at the dining table.
Stacking the saucers in a single layer and then placing a soft, clean cloth over them is advisable. Next, you can stack the cups on top of the cloth. This helps prevent the cups from rubbing against the saucers and causing damage.
5. Keep Fine China in a Dry and Cool Place
Keeping fine china in a dry and cool place prevents damage and expands its lifespan. Sudden changes in moisture and temperature can cause cracks, warping, and discoloration.
Therefore, go around your house and find a place with a consistent temperature and low humidity where you can place the cabinet.
You can even invest money in a modern cabinet equipped with a dehumidifier, which could keep the humidity inside the cabinet stable.
Even when you store your fine china in the kitchen, remember to keep them far away from radiators or ovens. The heat from these kitchen gadgets can cause your fine china to become too warm and brittle.
In addition, storing fine china in an area with frequent temperature changes can force them to expand and contract, resulting in cracks and other damage.
6. Label Your Storage Containers
Labeling your storage containers is another helpful tip for storing fine china.
You must cover each fine china item carefully with the packing material, so it is difficult to remember what you packed inside exactly.
And when you are serving your dinner for honor guests, you can rush to find suitable items and possibly break the others. I recommend labeling your items to help you quickly and easily locate the needed pieces.
You can label your fine china in various ways. You can use a label maker to ensure aesthetic quality or simply write the piece’s name on a tape or sticker and attach it to the container.
It is also a good idea to add the date when you buy your items or any other relevant information on the label. This can help keep track of the age and condition of your fine china.
7. Clean Fine China
Of course, you can’t put a plate with food in the cabinet, so the first step in storing fine china must be cleaning it.
You should use a soft cloth or a soft-bristled brush to clean the surface of the fine china.
Next, some fine china could be dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is always the best idea.
Do not use abrasive sponges or harsh cleaners if you don’t want to scratch or damage the delicate surface of the fine china. Rinse thoroughly and dry it off using a soft cloth.
If your fine china has stains or marks that cannot be removed by washing, you could contact the manufacturer for a specialized cleaning solution method.
However, you should test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure everything goes smoothly with your fine china. Finally, remember to clean and dry your hands before handling or storing your fine china.
FAQs
Can Fine China Be Stored Outside?
It is not an excellent idea to store fine china outside as they are delicate items.
Storing outside could increase their exposure to unstable temperatures, humidity, and other environmental conditions. As a result, discoloration in fine china will happen faster.
You should store fine china in a cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight to protect its quality and prevent damage. If you must keep them outside, at least place them in a carton box.
Where Should I Store My China?
While your fine china items are expensive and delicate, finding a suitable place to store them is not difficult.
You can easily find a dry and cool location in your house to place a cabinet. But you should avoid placing your fine china in a place with high humidity or temperature because it can cause damage and discoloration.
What Is The Safest Way To Pack Fine China?
You can follow my above instructions to keep your fine china in the best shape. Let me summarize them for you.
First, wrap each piece in tissue paper or cloth and place them separately with soft padding in between.
You should also label your storage containers to save time when finding some items. Avoid stacking them too high to prevent them from tipping over.
It is also essential to keep them clean and free from dust to prevent potential damage.
Final Verdict
Knowing how to store fine china is the key to protecting their luxurious and elegant outlook.
Following these tips, you can keep your fine china in excellent condition for years. Remember to be gentle with your valuable fine china item, keep them in a cool and dry place, and give them a good wash regularly.
You can enjoy your fine china for a long time with the proper storage techniques. Thank you for reading!