How to Fix Cracked China With Milk

A gorgeous set of china can last several lifetimes if it cared for properly. Many woman hold their china as one of their most prized possessions, especially when it was received as a wedding gift, or for some other very special occasion. When china becomes broken or damaged, the main culprit is usually a person who has inadvertently dropped it, or a child who knocked it over from its perch. There are many kinds of china cleaners and repair creams available on the market today, but most don't even come close to what they claim. If you have some cracked china that you are hoping you can possibly save, try using milk. It is cheap and there are no toxic chemicals, so you don't have to wear gloves or worry about breathing in fumes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cooking pan or bowl
• Milk

1. Put the piece of china into a large cooking pan or bowl. Be careful when you set it in the pan, because some china can be brittle if it is very old.

2. Pour milk over the china piece so that it is completely covered. Again, go slowly and don't just dump a large amount of milk in all at once. Pour it carefully until the top of the china is submerged.

3. Heat the pan on stove until the milk starts to boil. Once the milk is boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer. Let the china simmer in the milk for about an hour.

4. Let the milk cool completely before removing the china. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit off of the heat for half an hour. The cracks should have mended, assuming they were not huge to begin with.

Tips & Warnings

• It does not matter what kind of milk is used; skim, 1 percent or full fat milk will work. Remember, this should work for smaller cracks, not huge, gaping holes. The milk works as a binder; it will help pull the crack together, but it won't fix holes
• Don't move the china from the milk until it has cooled.