How to clean your dinner service before Christmas?

How to get rid of stains and limescale from plates and dishes

Dishwashers have become one of the most indispensable appliances in many homes, more so when get-togethers with family and friends are common, especially over the Christmas period. Despite those appliances making our lives much easier and saving us time and effort, they sometimes leave limescale stains on our plates and glasses. This is usually due to water hardness (i.e. a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium) and the heat given off by the appliance itself.

When hard water is heated during the washing cycle, those minerals tend to build up and stick to glass surfaces, leaving a whitish layer or opaque stains, known as limescale deposits.

Since it is better to avoid this happening in the first place, take the following tips into account before putting your dishwasher on:

• Always have enough salt and rinse aid, and also make sure the filters are clean.
• Use quality salt, rinse aid and detergent.
• Add half a lemon occasionally in the wash, perhaps once a month.
• Clean the dishwasher. When empty, add a spoonful of baking powder and half a lemon, and then put a short cycle on. Check that the filters are clean.
• Use limescale remover.
• Position the dishes as described by the manufacturer. Make sure glass items are not in contact with each other to avoid them rubbing together.
• Wash glassware at a low temperature or using the glassware cycle.

Tips to recover the shine of your glasses and cups (and crockery in general)

• Use white stone cleaning paste, a product that descales the most stubborn grease and dirt. All you need to do is clean the glass with white stone cleaning paste and then with your usual detergent. This method helps to completely get rid of those annoying stains.
• Lemon and salt: rub the glasses and other glassware with a lemon carefully until you see the limescale stains disappear. You could also add a little salt to the glass and rub it with a piece of kitchen roll until the limescale disappears. Then wash it with soap and water and allow it to dry normally.
• Baking powder: pour a soupspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of salt in the glassware. Fill the glass with hot water and allow it to stand for about half an hour. Then wash and allow it to dry.
• Vinegar: add equal amounts of vinegar and water in a receptacle and then submerge the glassware in it. Leave it in for 2 to 3 hours and if the stains have not completely disappeared, you can leave it in overnight.
• Toothpaste: spread some toothpaste on the inside of the glass with a dishcloth, a piece of kitchen roll or an old toothbrush. Then clean and wash the glass in cold water and allow it to dry naturally.
• Hydrogen peroxide: spray a little hydrogen peroxide on the glassware and allow it to stand for 5 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush or a piece of kitchen roll to get rid of any stubborn remains. Then wash it with soap and water.

Tips for drying and storing your dinner service properly for Christmas

• Porcelain crockery: we recommend submerging porcelain crockery in hot water with ammonia and a few drops of lemon juice. To clean off stains, use a soft sponge with a mixture of baking powder and water. Drying each item well before putting it away is fundamental; first with a dry cloth and then with kitchen roll.
  • Recommendations:
    • Avoid using metal scouring pads so as not to scratch the porcelain.
    • If the crockery features gold or silver trim, clean it only with mild products and never use abrasive products.
    • Store the dinner service in a dry place, and if possible, place pieces of paper or felt between each item to prevent scratching.
• Glassware: put glassware to soak after using it. Washing glassware by hand is recommended, rather than using the dishwasher. Dry it with a cloth that does not leave fluff behind.
  • Recommendations: 
    • Store glasses separately to avoid them scratching against each other.
• Cutlery: do not leave cutlery soaking for too long, and do not put them all together as they are likely to get scratched. Store them in a drawer with separate compartments and a velvet base. Before putting them away, make sure they are properly dry using a clean, dry cloth. It is important to dry cutlery, glasses and crockery after washing in order to avoid drip marks on them.
  • Recommendations:
    • Clean silver cutlery with specific silver cleaner and put it away in cloth cases to avoid oxidation.
    • For stainless steel cutlery, avoid chlorinated products and always dry it after washing to avoid stains.
    • Do not use abrasive scouring pads, particularly on cutlery with decorative items.