Buzz
With the holidays fast approaching, some will soon be bringing out their cherished dishware. What qualifies as ‘cherished’ differs from one home to the next, but one thing is always true: breaking these dishes is something you definitely want to avoid, as it can lead to loud arguments and disappointment—things best kept to a minimum during the holiday season.
The key to keeping your dishes intact is protecting them from hard surfaces—namely the sink and the floor. You should also be mindful of the materials you’re using to clean them, and what you’re cleaning them with.
Cushion Your Sink
To make your sink safer for your dishes, consider using a rubber mat, a dish tub, or simply lining the bottom of the sink with a thick towel. While the towel might be the least pleasant option, it will provide the cushioning needed to prevent damage if a dish happens to slip—after all, that’s the main goal here.
Before scrubbing, let your dishes soak for a while. This will help loosen up any stuck-on food, making it easier to gently wipe away with a soft sponge (avoid using scouring pads or anything that resembles steel wool). A dish tub can be a lifesaver here—it allows you to take out the tougher dishes and pots while letting the delicate ones soak. Be sure not to stack the dishes while soaking, as stacking could lead to accidents and, inevitably, frustration.
Rather than aggressively scrubbing your dishes, it's better to let them soak for a while. This softens any stubborn food, making it much easier to wipe away with a gentle sponge (not a scouring pad, and definitely not anything resembling steel wool). A dish tub can be a huge help—you can remove it from the sink and focus on cleaning the less fragile dishes and cookware while the delicate ones soak. Just avoid stacking the dishes during this process, as stacking could lead to falling dishes, and falling dishes lead to unnecessary distress.
Protect your floor from potential dish mishaps. In a perfect world, no dish would ever slip and break, but unfortunately, this isn't the world we live in. It’s very possible to drop a dish, and if your floor is hard, like most kitchen floors are, the dish is likely to break. So, consider softening up the floor to reduce the risk of disaster. A rubber kitchen mat can work wonders, or you can improvise with a thick towel while you clean the more delicate dishes.
In an ideal world, we’d never drop a dish, but reality tells us otherwise. The truth is, there’s always the chance of a dish slipping from your hands. If your kitchen floor is hard—like most kitchen floors are—the dish will likely break. So, it’s a good idea to make your floor a little softer. You can purchase a rubber kitchen mat, or use a thick towel to cushion your stance while cleaning the more fragile dishes.
If you’re working on a hard kitchen floor, it’s more likely that any dish you drop will break. To prevent this, it’s smart to cushion the floor. A rubber mat from a home goods store is a simple solution, but you can also use a thick towel as a substitute to stand on while washing delicate dishes. This will soften the blow if a dish happens to fall.
If you're working with fine china, avoid using harsh cleaners that contain bleach or citrus scents. While the fresh fragrance of citrus-based cleaners is tempting, they contain acids that can damage delicate china. After letting your dishes soak in some soapy, warm water, rinse them thoroughly and let them air dry. Be careful not to place anything too close to the edge. For added protection, lay a thick towel on the floor next to your drying rack. The world is unpredictable, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.
When cleaning your fine china, skip the bleach and citrus-based cleaners. Though I personally enjoy the scent of citrus cleaners, they contain acid that could potentially harm your china. After soaking your dishes in warm, soapy water, rinse them well, and let them dry naturally. Be mindful not to position any items too close to the edge. For extra safety, consider placing a thick towel on the floor near the drying rack. The world is full of surprises, and you can never be too cautious.
