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!
15 COMMENTS
lilface
7 years ago
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!
Lexy @ The Proper Pinwheel
8 years ago
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!
Chris loves Julia
8 years ago
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.
Meg @18preston.com
8 years ago
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!
Richlpgirl
8 years ago
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
Lani
8 years ago
Totally getting this stuff!! i was just complaining about this to my husband!!!
Lexy @ The Proper Pinwheel
8 years ago
For reals! I was so ashamed to post the pics of THOSE plates. They’re ug. My nice white ones from Target were all packed away in storage and that wa what I had to work with. What was I thinking?! :)
lyndsay @ that 70s house
8 years ago
wow, those look like new again! i love a clean white, classic plate :)
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication
8 years ago
That’s awesome! We have white plates too, so I’ll definitely have to keep this in mind!
meaganbriggs3
8 years ago
Holy cow! The difference is amazing! Our plates are blue….so I’ve never noticed any grey scuffs. But ours get a lot of soap scum stuck to them which drives me INSANE!!!!!
Lisa P.
8 years ago
That’s awesome! My white plates look the same way. They were a wedding gift 9 years ago, so this would be a great way to spruce them up.
Elaine - Visual Meringue
8 years ago
awesome! Have to try this!
Courtney
8 years ago
I just did this with our cookware that came from Ikea. They had dark cooking stains and spots. A little dab of Bar Keepers friend and viola! My husband thought I bought new ones :)
Julia F
8 years ago
nice! we have white plates too, they are corelle though so I haven’t noticed scratches.
Jessica Gehman
8 years ago
Bar Keepers friend was always my Mom’s secret for keeping their porcelain sink in great shape even with my dad and two kids :)