Special holiday items require special care

Helpful hints take the stress out of cleaning and storing treasured items.

WASHINGTON POST

Some of us rarely use our best tablecloths, china, crystal and silver, and usually only think about it maybe a week before Christmas. When we pull it out of storage, the silver is probably tarnished, the china a little dusty and there may even be a few telltale spots on the linens from last year’s feast.

Here are some helpful tips for cleaning and storage.

Linens

The tablecloth is the first decorative layer, and in some ways the trickiest to maintain because it is so subject to wrinkles and stains.

U Cotton and linen cloths are far more wrinkle-prone than polyester, so keep this in mind when buying a new one.

U To iron, lightly sprinkle or spritz your cloth with water; even better, remove it from the dryer while it is still damp and iron right away.

U Except for linen, which requires high heat, iron most cloths on medium. Take extra care if using spray starch, which can scorch under a very hot iron.

U On the table, protect the cloth from dripping wax with small decorative collars that fit between the candle and holder. Use saucers under the gravy boat and cranberry sauce, and wine coasters under bottles.

U Target spots on napkins and the tablecloth right away with a stain dissolver, dish detergent, enzyme-enhanced laundry soap or other cleaner. Check www.extension.missouri.edu for stain-removal tips.

U Machine-was your linens on gentle cycle with warm water; to minimize wrinkling, shake the cloth out before putting it into a medium-heat dryer.

U To minimize wrinkles during storage, fold the cloth between sheets of acid-free paper or roll around a carpet tube; alternatively, fold in thirds and hang on a padded hanger.

U If you send linens to a dry cleaner, be warned: Dry-cleaning may not remove some stains, including wine.

China

Techniques for caring for china depend on how old it is and how much you cherish it.

U Fine dinnerware produced in the past 10 to 15 years bearing a “dishwasher safe” stamp on the back, even those banded in gold or platinum, can be washed on the gentle cycle.

U To prevent chipping, do not overload the dishwasher or let any edges touch.

U Use only dishwasher detergent without citrus juice or scent; those lemon, lime or orange varieties can damage the decal pattern or metal banding.

U Pieces without the “dishwasher safe” stamp, items made before 1995 and those that are valuable or sentimental should be hand-washed in warm water with mild, non-citric soap.

U Before hand-washing, remove jewelry and put a dish towel in the bottom of the sink to prevent chipping.

U Dry with a lint-free towel. Store in fitted cases or uncovered in a cabinet; put a white paper plate, napkin, towel or coffee filter between plates, bowls and platters to prevent scratching.

U Use cup hooks to store. To avoid chipping, do not stack items with handles.

Crystal

Nothing sparkles like crystal, but it takes some effort.

U With automatic dishwashers, use only the delicate cycle and gentle-care detergent; hot water and strong detergents can cloud the glass and fade metallic banding.

U Make sure glassware does not touch other items and that pieces are positioned so they won’t be knocked around by water pressure.

U If washing by hand, remove jewelry, line the sink with a towel and fill it with warm water and non-citric detergent. To avoid chipping, do not submerge stems or glasses together.

U Rinse with medium-hot water and let drip onto a linen or other lint-free towel.

U If you use crystal only occasionally, store in original boxes or fitted cases. For more-frequent use, stand the pieces upright, making sure they do not touch.

U Wash crystal decanters in warm water with a soft sponge, but no soap. To dry, insert a long strand of paper towel for several hours; remove carefully. Store un-stoppered to avoid condensation.

U To remove clouding, try mixing a cup or so of coarse salt with a pint of white vinegar and shake it inside the decanter. Rinse several times.

Sterling silver and silver plate

While sterling, whether a wedding gift or heirloom, acquires a lovely patina with use, it requires maintenance.

U To polish sterling, which is usually 92.5 percent pure silver, use a soft cloth and nonabrasive silver polish. Rinse in warm water, lay it out on a soft cloth and dry gently.

U Silver plate is just that, a thin layer of silver covering brass, copper or other base metal. The more you polish or wash it, the more silver you remove.

U Never store sterling or silverplate in plastic bags or bundle together with rubber bands. Tarnish-proof cloth, which is used for storage bags and the linings of silver chests, will keep utensils and serving pieces shiny.