Advice & Maintenance
Crystal
- Max. 40°C
- Hand wash
- Mild dishwashing liquid
- Our advice
Crystal is a material prized for its purity, brilliance and elegance. Owning crystal glasses, carafes or decorative objects requires special care. Careful maintenance is essential to ensure that your crystal pieces retain their brilliance and transparency over time.
HAND WASH
Crystal is sensitive to thermal shock. Use washing-up liquid or black soap (more natural and environmentally friendly), lukewarm water at a constant temperature and a soft sponge. Scratching sponges and metal pads are not recommended. Remember to use a plastic basin to protect your crystal glasses from hitting the sink! Leave them to drain, then dry them gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Be sure to wash your glasses immediately after use. If you wait for the lenses to dry completely, marks may form and you risk breaking the glass by rubbing it. When wiping, avoid twisting the glass by holding the stem and wiping the inside of the gob at the same time. Cleaning glasses the day after use increases the risk of persistent stains, such as red wine stains. Tip for drying properly: Place the tea towel on the bottom of your glass and turn it over gently, then wipe lightly on the outside.
Dishwasher safe
Dishwashers can damage the surface of glass and can produce a white haze on the crystal. This is due to the dishwasher water being too hot, which causes a chemical reaction. Your crystal then becomes milky. However, some glasses are now dishwasher-safe, so a few precautions should be taken.
If your glasses are dishwasher safe, here is Madame Touzeau's recommendation for washing powder:
The powder can be measured out better and you don't need to use a lot. For best results, remember to always rinse your glasses before putting them in the dishwasher, especially if they contain acidic drinks, such as white wines: Riesling (from Alsace and Germany), Sauvignon Blanc (Loire Valley), Chenin Blanc, red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and certain Pinots Noirs and sparkling wines: Champagne, Cava and Prosecco are naturally very acidic, a characteristic accentuated by the bubbles. This will help preserve your crystal.
Please always read the care information on the item in question. We have prepared specific advice for each item on our website. If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact us.
Washing a crystal decanter
Avoid letting the wine sit in the decanters and rinse them with warm water after use. Fill the decanter with warm water and a dash of washing-up liquid. Shake vigorously to remove any deposits. For drying, one trick is to insert household paper inside the carafe. To do this, use a stick thin enough to fit inside the jug. Wrap the wooden stick in household paper, and stir the stick inside. The aim is for the paper to touch all the surfaces of the decanter. Leave to rest so that the kitchen roll absorbs all the moisture.
Cleaning glass paste
Glass paste can have a whitish appearance over time, which is very unattractive. It can even lose its shine. The solution is simple but little known. Use Vaseline to apply to your item. We also recommend the pâte de verre maintenance kit developed in-house by Manufacture Daum, which you can find on our page Care & Storage.
Crystal may seem delicate, but it is remarkably durable when cared for. Sensitive to shocks and sudden temperature changes, crystal requires special care to preserve its beauty and brilliance. Whether it's a contemporary piece or an object that has stood the test of time, every crystal item will bring a touch of elegance to your tables and your home. To prolong its brilliance, wash each piece carefully and handle it with the care it deserves.
Porcelain
- Max. 40°C
- Hand wash/dishwasher
- Mild dishwashing liquid
- Our advice
When it comes to tableware, porcelain is a material appreciated for its delicacy, elegance and timeless beauty. But porcelain plates, mugs and even decorative objects require very special care. Proper care is essential to ensure that your porcelain tableware retains its lustre over time.
So, should porcelain be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher? The choice between hand-washing and dishwashing depends on the quality and age of the porcelain tableware you own. Modern top-of-the-range porcelain tableware is generally dishwasher-safe. This is the case with the great names in Limoges porcelain, such as Bernardaud and Raynaud.
HAND WASH
If you prefer to clean your porcelain crockery by hand, avoid the abrasive side of the sponge, which could damage the decoration. This is particularly true of porcelain decorated with gold, platinum-coated pieces or hand-painted motifs.
Dishwasher safe
You can also put your porcelain tableware in the dishwasher (unless the manufacturer advises otherwise). In this case, opt for gentle washes, with low washing and drying temperatures to avoid thermal shock. Although porcelain is solid, it is sensitive to wide variations in temperature.
If your glasses are dishwasher safe, here is Madame Touzeau's recommendation for washing powder:
The powder can be measured out better and you don't need to use a lot. For best results, remember to always rinse your china crockery before putting it in the dishwasher, especially if it contains acidic foods (such as salad dressings or sauces). This will help preserve your porcelain crockery.
Hand-painted porcelain
Old porcelain tableware requires special care, as it is more fragile than contemporary pieces. Dishwashers should be avoided in this case, as they will damage the decoration on your plates and cups.
If your old crockery has been stored in boxes in the attic for a long time, stains may appear. To remove traces of limescale from porcelain, mix white vinegar with hot water and leave to soak. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, then dry. For greasy stains, use Marseille soap. For other stains (coffee, wine, etc.), try baking soda or lemon juice. For stubborn stains, mix two litres of water with bleach and leave your porcelain crockery to soak in the solution for 12 to 24 hours.
On a daily basis, your old stoneware or earthenware crockery should be washed with a soft sponge and non-abrasive products. It's a common misconception that porcelain is fragile. However, it is the strongest of all ceramics. However, it can withstand violent shocks and wide variations in temperature. Whether it's modern, decorated in gold or platinum, or has survived the ages while retaining its charm of yesteryear, porcelain deserves special attention so that it continues to brighten up your meals and your interior decoration. So, whether you choose to wash it by hand or in the dishwasher, remember to treat each piece with the respect and delicacy it deserves.
Silverware
- Max. 50°C
- Hand wash/dishwasher
- Mild dishwashing liquid
- Our advice
Some people may be reluctant to buy silver because of its upkeep and the phenomenon of oxidation: silver darkens and discolours when it comes into prolonged contact with air. Silver gradually loses its lustre, initially acquiring a yellow tinge that becomes increasingly black over time. The rate at which this happens depends on whether or not the coin is exposed to heat and humidity.
HAND WASH
Before using for the first time, wash your silverware by hand with neutral washing-up liquid containing no synthetic fragrances (citrus or lemon extracts are not recommended). The first maintenance tip is frequent use. As the colouring develops quite slowly, the silver will not have time to darken between uses. What's more, regular use automatically provides for cleaning and gives all the pieces the real silver 'patina'.
It is not advisable to use products containing chlorine, rubber or acids, as they can be too aggressive. For knives, it is advisable to avoid thermal shock to avoid weakening the blade and handle.
Dishwasher safe
It's important to remember that some collections are not dishwasher-safe, so we recommend that you always look at the description of the item you've bought. We have dedicated advice in the 'care information' tab in the description of each item on our site.
Here is some general information about items that can be put in the dishwasher:
- Only use washing powders that contain no chlorine or citric acid (avoid gels and liquids, which often contain chlorine, and "lemon scents" containing citric acid. Avoid multi-purpose tablets).
Here is Madame Touzeau's recommendation for washing powder:
