Posted on September 12, 2009 by FiestaFan

I just received a set of white Fiesta dishes, but the plates and bowls are covered with gray scratch marks, and I cannot get them out. I have tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and it does not work at all. Any ideas?

If you notice utensil marks on your Fiestware while you are washing it, all is not lost. Utensil marks can be removed using Wenol Metal Polish. Wenol will remove marks on your fiestaware and other pottery and china. Wenol doesn't hurt the glaze and has been used by fiestaware collectors for years.

Note: There were some comments from the original post on the other site:

1)soak in vinegar and water overnight

2)Try using a washcloth and some comet or ajax. It works for me.

3)The gray marks are metallic deposits from your stainless steel flatware. They can be removed with a non-abrasive cleanser such as Barkeeper’s Friend or Wright’s Copper Cream, both of which can be found in your local supermarket.

Dave Conley
The Homer Laughlin China Company

4)Please don’t use an abrasive cleanser like Ajax or Comet. While it may take the marks off, it will also damage the glaze and then the problem will get worse. You can use a like product that is non-abrasive like Barkeeper’s Friend, but I have found what works the best is Wright’s Copper Cream.

5)Try soaking them in a mildly soapy bath in extremely hot water. Bacteria that causes odor do not like heat and die when it gets too hot. That’s why most dishwashers have a heated dry. I’m talking boil a few pots of water and dump it in with some cooler water. This should be just below damaging the plastic dishes hot. You’ll want to remove the dishes before the water cools all the way so have some tongs so you don’t burn yourself. Afterwards wash them, again rinsing with really hot water and dry them by hand with paper towels (cloth towels can deposit bacteria on them again). Also, make sure to get a new sponge for this round of washing. You might look into disposable sponges. Sponges can carry the germs that make stuff smell bad.