Should we be using our 'best' china?

I'm wondering whether I should start using my Dolton china wedding dinner service. It's such a shame to have it sitting in the cupboard. But will it get ruined if I put it in the dishwasher?

I know what will happen to mine, willow - tip or charity shop. DS doesn't use anything but Denby, and DD won’t have anything but plain white china on her table. I think the dishwasher is a large consideration. Whenever I buy any cookware or tableware these days I look to see if it is dishwasher safe. I remember when we regularly had up to a dozen people for a meal and all the effort of washing and drying bone china, crystal and silver (which we also rarely use now). I did once put the plates in thè dishwasher on a short cycle and they seemed to be none the worse for their ordeal, but I've never done it since.

Why not send Doulton an e-mail with your dinner service name/model and see what they say.

Yes, for me too - dishwasher will decide.

There are loads of "pottery search" websites
Just google "replacement china search"

I have a set of 1970s Hornsea Saffron china which is kept for best. It is becoming something of a retro item. (Like me)

Maisie123, most china would go through the dishwasher OK, unless it's been painted on top of the glaze IYSWIM. But if there's gold edge (or other gilding) it's likely to wear off quite fast I suspect. I had my Grandmother's Royal Doulton Egerton plates when she died.
uk.pinterest.com/pin/92253492347097832/

We used them every day for years, even hand washing them the gilding round the edge gradually wore off. But I loved the pattern, and remembering my Grandmother when we used them. Over the years some got broken, mainly the small plates. I've replaced some via ebay, and also bought a couple of matching oval platters.

We moved about 5 years ago, and seem to have got out of the habit of using my lovely plates - think must get back to using them again!

Guests American for a week; we used the unused best China and haven't stopped. A lovely way to remember the donor of 46 years ago. Should have done it sooner!?

Not guests American......guests here! ☹️

I recently gave several sets of china tea sets to the charity shop. They were mum's pride and joy. I also have loads of Waterford crystal which stays in the cupboard because it's not dishwasher proof. I have three decanters. Who uses them? I know my family won't want these things. What to do ...

Use them, use them! That is, if it gives you pleasure. Not if you feel obliged. If something doesn't give you pleasure - get rid! Hindus (I think) have a custom of getting rid of stuff in their 60s, simplifying their lives.

With a dishwasher which did 30 deg washes I risked our 1974 wedding presents with gold trim. So far, so good, and regularly used with visitors, not everyday. At least we're getting more use than in the years it stayed in the cupboard.

Heard a talk by antiques dealer recently. Apparently no-one wants crystal these days .I suppose because it's elaborate and doesn't go in dishwashers .We have 6 glasses (wedding present) which we use only on high days and holidays .Maybe Aldi wine would taste (even) better from them...
I have three very pretty tea sets-one is Japanese antique (wedding present) one Chinese ditto(gift from husbands aunt who knew I loved it )and one from my mum ,which is also quite old ,which I do occasionally use as it's bone chins and quite robust. Though I do wash it by hand. .They are in a kitchen display cupboard, so while not in use they are ''admired'
My 12 settings dinner service(Royal Worcester ,plain white with silver rim,bought quite recently ) only comes out at Christmas but as my second best set -bought years ago in Tesco's -is dwindling (we use plain white for every day)I may need to bring it out of store soon
I rarely use the beautiful damask tablecloth and the embroidered ones I inherited either.Mainly because they are a pain to iron !

When I was younger my little sister told me her friend always wore her nicest clothes and went out looking her best on every occasion. It struck me then that this was a very good way of enjoying every moment and making the most of life. At the time we were pretty poor and saved things 'for best' so it was a bit of a revelation. I also met a woman many years later whose best frind died suddenly when she was only 17 and this friend never scrimped on anything with the idea that you never knew how long you had left.

I try to use and wear my finest things and clothes but still sometimes have to fight my instincts to 'save things up for best'.

It's Sunday and I am sitting in bestist clothes, in my bling and eating off the Spode Blue Itaian china

Our "best" set is Old English Country Roses, which we use most weekends. I've broken a few items lately, and replacements are available online. I don't think it's china though?
After Mum died I cleared all their stuff and tried to sell a beautiful dinner service, also a very fine bone china tea service of my grandparents, from China. Tried a few auction houses, but they all said "there's no demand".

Use it and enjoy it I'm the same with most of my possessions these days including clothes I don't keep things for best any longer everyday is the best day now I've reached a certain age.

Oh do use it! I use wedding present cutlery, beautiful heavy silver, every day although it is hand wash. Only takes a minute to do, and it makes everything look special, even toast. I sometimes reflect that 'this could be my last meal' (not pessimistic, just realistic, as one day it will be) and I want to have eaten it off a decent plate with my lovely cutlery in use. Do use it!

I don't have any best china and wouldn't want some, I know it would sit unused in a cupboard.

I do have a set of six lemonade glasses and a matching jug which was my grandmothers which sits in a box on top of the cupboard.

After reading this I'm going to get them out and use them. I will cry if one gets broken though, perhaps I should sell them, if someone is willing to pay for them surely that will show they will appreciate them?

I just had this conversation with my sister last night, she was urging me to use my Royal Doulton china. The dinner, tea and coffee sets plus all the add ons like tureens take up so much room. I love china coffee and teapots but I am not to be trusted near a sink or tap, the spouts are at risk.
I think we should use them because they will just end up in a skip when we are gone, the next generation may not feel the same about pretty china.

Not china, but I have a set of 6 heavy and decorative solid silver 'ice cream spoons' - supposedly Georgian, and they do look old. They were a silver wedding present to my parents and AFAIK they were never used. And we've never used them, either - does seem a shame but I hardly ever serve anything where they'd be suitable - they're only about large-teaspoon size.

I once read a story about an old man laying out clothes for his wife to be buried in. He opened a box and took out some beautiful silk underwear that was wrapped in tissue. When asked about it he said his wife had been saving it for a special occasion. Says it all really. Use the china and enjoy

Definitely use it, but continue to do so with care. My friend has a beautiful Royal Doulton tea service that is never used, being oreserved for Heaven kniws what, it is simply a possession. She knows i have always coveted it so you can imagine my delight when i saw exactly the same set,, but complete with sugar basins and milk jugs, 8 breakfast plates, 8 other plates slighter smaller, 8 tea plates, eight cups and eight saucers, all for the princely sum of £30!!!! I very quickly went in and bought it and now i use it every day with absolute pleasure!

I save nothing for best. Life's too short. I was roundly told off on Gransnet for mentioning in passing that I'd worn a new summer (sale) dress while looking after one of my grandsons. As far as I'm concerned, pretty things are meant to be worn, not to hang in a wardrobe for most of the year. The same goes for china, linen, perfume (particularly perfume, in fact - what good is it when it goes off?). How sad that beautiful things are found in drawers unwrapped and unused when someone dies.

Bluesmum that was a bargain, I paid almost that for each dinner plate 24 years ago. Enjoy your china

The tea service with cherubs actually sounds charming if you were thinking of selling it let me know!

Use it. Everyone seems to use plain white china these days so nobody wants the (expensive) beautiful old stuff ?