Crockery means much more than just functional tableware; it bears sentimental value and brings out the fine aspect of dining. Whether investing in a beautiful set of fine china or inheriting treasured pieces from your family, ensuring its longevity is quite an important consideration. Wrong ways of storage can result in chipping, cracking, and even breakage that will, in turn, affect both utility and the aesthetic value of a collection. If you have ever pulled out your favorite dish, only to find it damaged, you know how frustrating that can be. On the bright side, by applying a few careful storage strategies, you can keep your crockery in good condition and impress your guests with its excellence during your next meal. Read on to learn how to store crockery safely at home with practical tips which protect your items while giving an easy way of access to them.
Tips for Safely Storing Your Crockery
Use Soft Liners Between Plates
Stacking plates on top of one another without any padding in between is another mistake that provokes scratching and chipping. Place soft liners or even cloth napkins between every plate. You can use specialized plate dividers or just plain old felt pads, paper towels, and even coffee filters. Such materials create a cushion that absorbs any impact, reducing the risk of damage when plates are stacked.
Store Bowls and Cups Separately
Although putting bowls or cups inside each other, the "Russian doll" method, can tempt one into saving space, it really does result in chips and cracks if they are fine bone china or glass. Thus, store them separately, or put a soft cloth or a napkin between items if you need to stack them. On the other hand, with cups and mugs, you should hang them or turn them upside down. This will prevent dust from getting inside the cups.
Do Not Overfill Shelves
The excessive load on the shelves can put undue pressure on the crockery at the bottom, which can lead to cracks or breakage. Allow sufficient space so that each item can sit comfortably without touching its neighbours. If you have limited cupboards, you can install additional shelving or invest in cabinet organizers to cram more into your available space without overcrowding it.
Place Glassware on Dish Cradles
Especially the stemmed ones, such as wine or champagne flutes, are most vulnerable. To protect them, dish cradles or holders that separate each glass individually may be bought. These cradles prevent the glasses from moving and knocking on one another, which may chip or shatter them. Inverting the glass also prevents chipping on the rim.
Store Rarely Used Items in Protective Cases
For special crockery—holiday dishes or heirloom china—you may want to consider protective cased storage. Many of these cases are padded with fabric or made of some sturdy plastic that will help keep dust and moisture away, in addition to protection from breakage. Keep the cases in a dry, cool area, away from direct sunlight, to further preserve the condition of your crockery.
Label and Organise
Group your crockery into similar items and label each part of your storage facility. In other words, all the dinner plates will be kept in one region, bowls in another, and so forth. This will enable easy access to the items you want instead of scrambling for them and risking accident breakage during the search.