Vintage and antique porcelain can be one of the most beautiful ways to set a table, bringing a sense of style, history and retro kitchen charm to any occasion. This includes inherited porcelain pieces that have been passed down in the family for generations, as well as second-hand, antique store, or flea market pieces that you’ve collected over time. However, some older pieces can sometimes develop a nasty stain resulting from small cracks that form in the surface of the glazed porcelain, called hairline cracks. Hairline cracks can manifest as visible hairline cracks or blotchy spots on the surface. Instead of throwing away these beautiful antique items, there is a smart and easy solution to repair them using hydrogen peroxide and a low oven that will make your old dishes look almost as good as new.
The staining is usually the result of tiny bacteria and dirt that has gotten into the tiny cracks created by regular use over time, moisture and temperature changes. The technique below can be a great way to cosmetically restore dishes, especially if you like to decorate your home with pottery. Cleaning can also make it more useful, as heavily soiled dishes can sometimes harbor bacteria that you may not want to touch.
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Remove stains with hydrogen peroxide
Start removing stains by soaking dishes in an 8% hydrogen peroxide solution for at least 24 hours. This allows the peroxide to penetrate the small cracks and begin to remove the dirt. Follow it up the next day by placing the dish in the oven once it reaches 250 degrees, letting it heat up gradually to avoid more damage, then leave it in the oven for an hour. When you remove it from the oven, wipe off any substance that has risen to the surface of the porcelain. For more stubborn stains, repeat the process until you get the desired result.
If you have some nice old dishes and want to prevent hairline cracks in the future, remember how to use, clean and store your vintage dishes. Extensive immersion in moisture, large temperature fluctuations, and using it for stain-prone foods, such as berries and coffee, can stain and cause additional hairline cracks over time. There are also many types of vintage glassware that you should never put in the dishwasher to prevent hairline cracks. Other types of stains on vintage china, such as scuffs and scratches from cutlery, can often be removed or minimized with a paste of baking soda and water, applied with a toothbrush.
Read the original article on House Digest.
