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How to Care for Royal Copenhagen Dishes

Plate collectors know Royal Copenhagen dishes for their richly designed blue Christmas plate series. The Danish manufacturer̵7;s hand-painted porcelain dinnerware is a favorite at elegant dinner parties. Royal Copenhagen has made plates and dinnerware for more than 200 years with increasingly durable technology. Antique and collectible plates require more delicate handling than the contemporary versions that sport resilient glaze. Whether the dishes are Royal Copenhagen collectibles or a cherished dinner service, handle these valuable items with a confident grip.

Things You'll Need

Plastic dishwashing pan
Mild dishwashing soap
Sponge
Towel
Plate hanger brackets
Plate easels
Original packaging
Ink-free newsprint
Bubble wrap

Instructions

- 1
  Set like-size dishes in a plastic dishwashing pan to avoid chipping the dishes on the hard surfaces of a sink. Squirt 1 tbsp. mild dishwashing soap in the pan and fill with hot running water. Allow the dishes to soak for 10 to 15 minutes, loosening any stuck-on debris.
- 2
  Grasp the top dish firmly in one hand and wipe both the front and back with a wet sponge. Rinse the plate under hot running water, taking care not to bump the plate against a faucet or other hard surfaces. Dry dishes thoroughly with an absorbent terry-cloth or microfiber towel.
- 3
  Store Royal Copenhagen dinnerware in a cupboard or stable china hutch. Stack like-size dishes together---dinner plates in one stack, bowls in another. Display collectible dishes attached to the wall with firm-fitting plate hanger brackets. On a flat surface, display dishes on plate easels with non-skid pads.
- 4
  Save original boxes and packaging to pack the dishes securely when moving them from one location to another. Collectibles typically retain a higher value when in the original boxes and with original paperwork intact. Wrap dishes without boxes individually in ink-free newsprint and bubble wrap for transport.
- 5
  Dust Royal Copenhagen dishes on display with a soft feather duster or microfiber cloth. Wash displayed dishes at least once a year to avoid a buildup of film from the environment.

Antiques