It almost looks like Greta took a pen to them or something. We have talked about replacing them, but then I came across a few posts online saying Barkeeper’s Friend would remove the scratches and scuffs. I gave it a try.
The liquid “soft cleanser” got almost all the marks off, but I followed up with the powder to remove the deeper gray marks and they look brand new again. Here’s a closer shot of the last photo with the “after” plate on the left.
I bought both the liquid and the powder at Home Depot and they were around $2 each. Which was a small, small price to pay for the amount of embarrassment it saved me at future dinner parties…oh, and buying new plates too, I guess.
We can’t be the only ones with the mystery gray scuffs on our dishware, right? Where do they come from? Silverware? The dishwasher? Either way, good riddance!

I have some white plates that were very ugly. I didn’t understand why only they had these scratches and my white and bone china or stoneware didn’t. I read this post and remembered that we cleaned my grandmothers porcelain sink with Comet cleanser. I just ran and scrubbed one of the plates with the Comet and it already looks 90% better. From now on I will just wash them with the cleanser. Thank you!
Alright, little miss crafty-sue. I had no idea you could do this and I have about 16 plates that are going to get the treatment this weekend!
Don’t be embarrassed, because you OBVIOUSLY have company, but I totally noticed your plates in this post: http://theproperpinwheel.com/2012/06/tut-tuesday-eat-placemat/
and thought–“Oh my! We’re not the only ones!”
It works and it will make you so happy.
My plates look the same and I’ve also been thinking about replacing them, but I’m trying this this morning first! Thanks for the post!
this is awesome! i’m moving into a new apartment this week and would look to spruce up my old dishes — doing this!!!
love your blog ;)
xxo!
http://www.richlittle-poorgirl.blogspot.com