Question from Misha K.
I recently inherited my mothers wedgewood china and handcut lead crystal. In the mid 80’s, it went thru a fire and suffered smoke damage. She didn’t clean it before packing it because they had very little time to get their things and get out. She said she would clean it when she unpacked it. Well, she never unpacked them because they never moved into an apartment big enough to display her china and crystal.
She passed away last year and the items we given to me. I opened the box and discovered that they were smoke damaged, BIG TIME.
What is the safest way to clean them without damaging the dishes and without removing the labels? Also, where can I go to get it appraised for insurance purposes.
Thank you for your time.
Misha K.
Debra’s Answer
I’m not sure where to tell you to go about getting it appraised. Unless your insurance needs some documentation, I would just look on the internet and see what your pattern is selling for and use that.
As far as the smoke damage, I would start just by washing them with whatever dishwashing liquid you use. I wouldn’t put them in a dishwasher. It seems to me that smoke would leave a black soot all over them that should wash right off–it shouldn’t penetrate the porcelain itself.
If this doesn’t work, call a service that remediates smoke damage and ask them.
Readers, any experience with this?
