# is washing enough for second hand china? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494 "2017-04-29T14:35:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/1 "2017-04-29T14:35:45Z")
I bought some china at a thrift store and I’m wondering if washing them as I would any dishes: hot water, dish detergent & friction is enough. My first thought was I should soak them in bleach water but maybe that’s just unnecessary and germaphobic. :dubious: mostly, I’d like to share how charming the pattern is: [Virginia Rose](https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5723208/il_570xN.304319325.jpg). 😃 I am going to use the plates to eat with, btw, but I’ll look for some other use for the sugar bowl and gravy boat. miscellaneous office supplies, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/2 "2017-04-29T14:50:00Z")
Just hand washing should be plenty fine. If you’re feeling anxious about germs, then I’d advise hitting up a restaurant supply store for sanitizing tablets: they’re designed to work in lukewarm water: actual bleach and or steam sanitizing can damage the finish or colors on old china. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/3 "2017-04-29T15:01:42Z")
Geez, every time you go to a restaurant you eat off used china, and every time you go to an hotel you sleep in used bed-linens. Just wash them normally. I’ve bought lots of old china in my life and it lasts until one breaks it in daily use: China does not harbour germs, being impervious. Pretty pattern. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/4 "2017-04-29T15:04:00Z")
I recommend giving the dishes to the dogs for special cleaning. They do an amazing job with dinner plates. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/5 "2017-04-29T15:43:33Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > Just hand washing should be plenty fine. If you’re feeling anxious about germs, then I’d advise hitting up a restaurant supply store for sanitizing tablets: they’re designed to work in lukewarm water: actual bleach and or steam sanitizing can damage the finish or colors on old china. thank you, that’s what I was thinking. I will probably just do a hot wash. the [gravy boat](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Homer-Laughlin-Virginia-Rose-Moss-Rose-Gravy-Boat-Vintage-NR-A-/322243413253) is not an attractive shape to me so I may just re-donate it. or use it to hold cotton swabs or something > [@](#): > > Pretty pattern the plates are so pretty I look forward to using them every day ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/6 "2017-04-29T16:59:13Z")
Think about it: if there are contamination on the surface, hot water plus normal dishwashing soap will take it off. China plates have a hard, smooth, dry surface, which is not a good place for bacteria to grow on. The only place for bacteria to breed would be moist food leftovers - which you remove with the hot water and soap. If there were some residual bad stuff inside the china such that normal washing wouldn’t get it out, it wouldn’t come out when you eat from it, either. \* - Exception the infamous red fiestaware, if combined with acidic. But that’s not delicate china, either. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-washing-enough-for-second-hand-china/785494/7 "2017-04-29T18:28:13Z")
I like the gravy boat. 🙂 I agree with the others. Regular washing should be fine.