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It’s normal – if you use silverware on ceramic dishes (I have Fiesta dishes) you will see little gray marks and scratches appear over time on your dishware. The marks come from the metal from the metal from silverware scratching the surface. If you have small scratches, you can try water, dish soap and a little baking soda. If you meet a little resistance, I recommend the powdered Bar Keeper’s Friend.
Before we move on, I will tell you that I have tried just about every natural scrubbing cleanser out there to see what actually works the best – all of these will eventually remove the marks, but the Bar Keeper’s Friend powder worked the quickest and with the best overall results.
Here’s what I tried:
- Bar Keeper’s Friend
- Bon Ami (powder)
- Better Life Kitchen and Bath Scrubber
- Bon Ami (liquid)
- my own soft cleaning paste recipe
Once you decide on a method, gather your dishes and line them up to clean them quickly – assembly line style.
Wet the dish and a cloth or paper towel and apply the powder or cream – rub in a circular motion.
You’ll need to use a little elbow grease, but the marks will come up easily in a minute or so. I prefer to use a paper towel because the black marks can stain – if you have an old t-shirt that is a great option.
Wash the cleanser off the plates and run them through your dishwasher. Look at the ‘brand new’ dishes!
Have you tried to remove the gray marks on your dishes? What has/hasn’t worked for you?
There are affiliate links in this post – go here to see my full disclosure policy.
Barbara Says...
I have the same dishes myself and have found that bar keeper’s friend is the one that works the best
Heather Says...
I have also used BKF to solve this problem. Becky, do you have any tips for easily removing tea stains from inside mugs?
Becky Says...
Post authorI use the BKF for that too 🙂
Virginia Says...
I find that simply sprinkling a bit of baking powder, or washing powder, or even borax, works fine too.
But have heard of some using just a bit of lemon or lime juice on a cloth for removing tea, or coffee stains
from cups. So easy to do that there really is no excuse for having those stains.
Lynne S. Says...
Put salt in the tea cup and wipe it around with a sponge or damp paper towel. Salt really does the trick!
Sheila Says...
That makes sense because we use salt, ice and a little bit of water to ckean the coffee pots in the restaurant.
Anne Munroe Says...
Oxyclean powder made into a paste will work for really stubborn tea stains also.
Nancy Says...
Bar Keeper’s Friend is now on my grocery list!
Bonnie Jean Says...
I also have Fiesta Ware and a couple of Pfaltzgraff (sp?) patterns. I no longer clean any pots, pans or silver or flatware in the same dishwater with my dishes and I do not put any metal in the dishwasher. That can also make the marks as the metal flakes off and it is like erosion. I have found a lot less of an issue with the lines/marks and I have been using Bon Ami … but will switch to the Bar Keeper’s friend as it doesn’t quite do all I would like. I also use a pink scrub pad for glass and fine china… a 3m product I believe. The combo has been great … and will be better with the BKF !
Always appreciative of the great ideas !!!
Michelle Says...
Don’t forget to wear gloves! I love barkeepers friend for taking the brown hard water stains off my dishes also. The oxcylic acid is great for all those things just very drying in the hands.
Susie Turner Says...
Lemon essential oil also works great!
AMANDA Says...
Thanks Becky. I will give that a try. I didn’t know it was possible to remove those marks, so I’ve lived with them for years.
Amanda
Marion Says...
Hello Becky
I live in Canada and I cannot locate bar keepers friend
Do you know where or if it is sold in Ontario
Thanks
Marion
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI’m not sure – sorry!