The more cynical among you would probably think that we would rather you broke your plates, than
looked after them. However, the reality is that we are never short of people looking for pieces.
The problem is finding the items. It is therefore in our interest to keep discontinued pieces
in circulation and in good condition. With this in mind we have prepared this guide which we
hope will help you to prolong your service's life and therefore your enjoyment of it.
Storage
If you are storing plates or bowls for a long period in a stack, place a paper napkin between
plates to avoid stacking marks.
Be careful not to let mugs, teapots, jugs etc rub against each other in a
cupboard as this can sometimes causes a grey rub mark in some glazes.
If you are packing away your service for some time and storing it in an attic or store room,
ensure that the box is clearly labelled as fragile, in case someone else should come
to move it. It is also a good idea to wrap the pieces in bubble wrap, for additional safety.
Bubble wrap can be obtained from any good stationery or packaging supplier.
Moving
When you come to move your service from one location to another, then wrapping the pieces
in bubble wrap reduces the likelihood of damage and does not leave black smudge marks that
newspaper print does.
Try to avoid placing items to close to the edge of a box. Screwed up newspaper, shredded
paper and old torn cloths are good for providing cushioning at the sides of a box.
It is also a good idea to keep a documented list of your service, including the name of the
manufacturer, the pattern and a list of the pieces you have. A photograph is also a good idea.
Boxes sometimes go missing, particularly when moving house. These details will not only help
you replace the pieces but will also help with any insurance claim you decide to make.
Posting
Should you need to post your tableware additional care should be taken in the
packaging.
Each piece should be individually wrapped in bubble wrap.
The wrapped items can then be carefully packed into a strong box amongst a combination of polystyrene chippings
and shredded paper. Try to separate the pieces with some of this packaging material. If you
are posting tableware overseas we recommend using only polystyrene chippings as this will help to
keep the weight and the cost of shipping down, and shredded paper can compact over longer transit
times.
Do not overload the box and try to keep at least a 1 inch gap between the wrapped pieces and
the edges of the box. Ideally the box will not be larger than 700mm by 700mm by 700mm. It is
better to use additional boxes than to overload one or to use one which is too big. If you have to use
a bigger box, ensure that you strap the horizontal and vertical axis with parcel tape to provide
greater support.
When the items are all in the box, include a piece of paper in the top of the box, detailing a
list of the pieces being sent, your name, address and telephone number and the name, address and
telephone number of the person or business you are sending the items to. If you are sending the
box overseas you may require additional documentation and you should seek advise from your courier
or the post office in this respect.
When you seal the box, do so across all seams, even the ones that are already taped or stapled.
It is probably a box which has been used before and you can not always rely on the existing seals.
Clearly mark the box "FRAGILE" on all sides.
Ensure that you clearly mark on the outside of the box, where it is going, who it is from and any
reference required by the courier. You may also have to attach additional documentation from the
courier.
If you are local to us (Dorset, Hampshire, South Wiltshire, South Somerset) and wish to post
some tableware or other fragile items, we will be happy arrange for the items to be collected,
packaged and dispatched. If you are interested in this service please contact us for a quote.
Cleaning
If (like Mike) you hate washing up after a large meal, and leave it to the next morning,
always rinse the worst of the grime off before leaving plates, bowls and serving ware overnight.
This helps to avoid unnecessary scrubbing which could damage your set, particularly if it is
one of the hand painted ranges.
Do not clean or scour your tableware with abrasive pads or wire wool. Over a period of time
such action would leave severe scratching and even wear through the glaze. It is far better
to be patient and leave really stubborn dirt to soak in hot soapy water.
Do not clean the following tableware in a dishwasher: - gilded items;
unglazed hand painted items, items that have any crazing, items that have been
repaired in any way, items that were made prior to dishwashers being in common
use (unless you have consulted the manufacturer first), any item that you
have any doubt about in terms of it's suitability for the dish washer.
Tea can leave brown stains called "tannin" in tea cups, on saucers and of course tea pots.
Simply washing up will not always remove it, and if left untreated the tanning will worsen,
spoiling the look of your tea service. We recommend "Teapot & Crockery's Best Friend", an environmentally friendly product
thats easy to use, inexpensive and will restore your
service to it's former glory. Go to our Special
Offers and Tableware Accessories page now for details on how to order.
Breakages
If the worst should happen and you do incur a breakage, do not immediately throw away all
the pieces. If you have chipped a teapot spout, but the lid is intact, keep the lid. It
increases the chances of finding a replacement if we only have to find part of the piece.
The same applies to lidded casserole dishes and serving ware, coffee pots, mustard pots and
storage jars.
Similarly if you should drop a salt or pepper pot, ALWAYS keep the stopper as these are
often difficult to come by.
If it is the stopper itself that has broken or been lost then contact us as we are sometimes
able to supply these. See our Special Offers page for details.
If you do not know the name of your service and you do not have a photograph, keep one of
the broken pieces to send to us. This will help us to identify the design.
Finally, notify The China Detectives as soon as possible.
1999 - 2002, The China Detectives,