How to Get Rid of Utensil Marks on White Plates
Metal utensils can leave unattractive grey marks on white plates. These marks often do not wash off with normal dishwashing soap, and they make plates look dirty, old, and scratched up. Luckily, utensil marks can be removed with a few simple supplies and a little bit of time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Barkeeper's Friend cleaner (http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/)
- Rubber gloves
- Non-abrasive sponge
Instructions
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Put on the rubber gloves. The best cleaners for removing utensil marks can make skin dry. Wear rubber gloves to avoid discomfort.
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2
Do a test patch. According to their website, Barkeeper's Friend is safe for use on porcelain. It is, however, somewhat abrasive and rough, so a test patch on the back of a plate is a good idea to make sure the cleanser does not scratch the plates. To do the test patch, simply add a small amount of Barkeeper's Friend to a damp sponge and gently rub a small patch on the back of one plate. If it does not leave scratches, the cleaner should work fine to remove utensil marks from the front of the plates.
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3
Remove the utensil marks. Once it has been determined that the cleaner and sponge will not scratch the plates, apply a small amount of cleaner to a damp sponge and gently rub the utensil marks off of the plates. One application might not be enough to remove dark marks, but be patient and try rubbing them off a few times.
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4
Finish washing the plates as you normally would.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find that Barkeeper's Friend does scratch your plates, try a less rough cleanser, such as Bon Ami (http://www.bonami.com/) or even a paste made from baking soda and water. It might take longer to remove utensil marks with these cleansers, but the plates should not be damaged.
Some plates, especially older china, have very delicate enamel. They might be scratched by Barkeeper's Friend or abrasive sponges. For plates such as these, using a very soft sponge and doing a test patch is especially important before proceeding to treat the whole thing.
