Denbyfinder - Denby Stoneware china matching service.
Looking after your Denby
I am frequently asked about care of modern and older Denby and Denby/Langley stoneware by customers, so I have put together this collection of tips and advice that I have found helpful.
Dishwashers
Modern Denby is advertised as being Dishwasher safe, in general it is usually safe to use a dishwasher for all Denby stoneware tableware from about 1950 onwards, but there are some pitfalls - which can mostly be avoided:
Dulling of the glaze
This can sometimes be a problem - particularly if you live in a hard water area, some Denby patterns seem especially prone to it and in extreme cases the glaze can seem to be covered in a white powdery residue.
- Use dishwasher liquid detergent (such as Finish liquid) rather than powders or tablets which can be abrasive before they have dissolved completely.
- Always use rinse aid - this helps to prevent mineral deposits from the water forming on your Denby during the final hot rinsing stages.
- If you are in a hard water area, always use an appropriate water softening product in your machine.
- Wash at the lowest temperature which will clean the items, pre-soak casseroles if possible or wash them in a separate higher temperature load from your other pieces. The higher the temperature of the wash the more likely it is that deposits could form over time.
- If deposits have already formed there is little that can be done, although hand rubbing with white distilled vinegar may help a little.
Damage
Damage to Denby in a dishwasher is rare, but the following tips will make it less likely:
- Stack plates etc. far enough apart from each other that they cannot clatter against each other. Make sure all other items are well secured so that they can't move about during the wash.
- Don't allow your Denby items to come into contact with any metal items, such as cutlery and pans, metal items can cause damage and also cause metal marks (see below)
- Don't put antique Denby or anything pre 1950's in the dishwasher, it could cause crazing or damage.
- Don't dishwash anything with pre-existing damage such as hairline cracks, it could shatter.
Hand washing and other cleaning tips
- Many people know there is nothing like using a dishwasher to clean stains out of a tea or coffee pot, but if you don't want to risk your precious Denby tea pot in the dishwasher you can get a similar result by hand.
Use a little dishwasher fluid and fill with boiling water, allow to cool slightly and then use a washing up brush to clean the inside of the pot before rinsing well. Repeat if necessary. (Dishwasher liquid is very slippery, hold on to your pot firmly while rinsing!) - Metal cutlery marks can usually be removed with ceramic hob cleaners (such as Hob Brite) that normally contain citric acid which reacts with the metal, you will need to rub quite hard with a soft cloth, wash by hand afterwards. These products are not usually very abrasive, but may make existing areas of wear worse, if in doubt try on a small area first.
- When stacking plates, try to place each plate directly on top of the other, rather than "sliding" them into the middle of a stack which can cause buffing to the glaze over time and risks chipping.
Disclaimer
I don't believe that any of the above tips will cause any damage to you or your Denby, but you must use them at your own risk, if you have sensitive skin please use rubber gloves when using cleaning products.
Finally - Denby is tough stuff, don't be afraid to use it and enjoy it every day, we do!