VILLEROY & BOCH CARE INSTRUCTIONS

It goes without saying that Villeroy & Boch china (with the exception of gold and platinum patterns) is dishwasher safe, for the inglaze patterns are always perfectly protected within the diamond hard glaze. So the china remains unaffected by chemical and thermal extremes inside the machine.

Tips for proper dishwashing

• Do not leave heavily soiled items inside the dishwasher for long periods of time without rinsing.
• Select a rinse cycle with a low-impact temperature.
• Follow the recommendations of the dishwasher manufacturer on settings, detergent dosage, rinsing agent and dishwasher salt, as well as the optimal rinsing times.
• For permanent protection, we recommend adding a special protective agent for patterns – such as ‘Calgonit’ or ‘Finish’ Protector.
• Depending on the water quality, softening or partial or full desalination is recommended. Refill the dishwasher salt regularly to avoid limescale, which can result from hard water.
• Always keep screen inserts, nozzles and spray arms clean.
• Do not pack items too tightly – the spray jets must be able to reach all items in unhampered fashion.
• Open the machine directly after the rinse cycle ends, so that the remaining steam cannot condense onto the clean dishes.

Washing by hand

• We recommend washing tableware with precious gold and platinum patterns by hand instead of in the dishwasher (there is nothing wrong with an occasional rinse in the machine, but this should always be the exception).
• Use a soft cloth or a sponge for washing.
• Use a mild detergent.
• If necessary, take off any sharp-edged rings.
• Avoid knocking the tableware against anything – e.g. the tap.
• Use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry.
• When washing your tea towels, please do not use fabric softeners or starch.

Ceramicplus

This practical, dishwasher-safe bakeware has a special, ‘easy clean’ surface.

• Encrusted streaks (e.g. the brown edge of cheese left behind in scalloped dishes) will peel away, without needing to soak for long periods.
• Simply wipe clean with a sponge or cloth, if necessary.
• Please avoid using aggressive cleaning agents or scrubbing utensils such as brushes with hard bristles, sharp-edged scrapers or metal sponges.
• Bakeware items should not be stacked inside one another.
• Wash in the dishwasher, just like normal Villeroy & Boch china. Oven-safe Ceramicplus bakeware is suitable for oven temperatures up to 220°C (please do not place the bakeware on an open flame or burner). Extreme temperature changes – e.g. if moved from a hot oven into a refrigerator, or vice-versa – should be avoided. This naturally applies to all bakeware – including products of other manufacturers.

Microwave

All Villeroy & Boch china and glass products – regardless of whether white or decorated – can be heated in the microwave without any problem. The only exceptions here are tableware items with precious metal patterns (gold and platinum). For technical reasons, this may not be used in the microwave.

Cutlery

The best care for all cutlery – regardless of whether stainless steel, high grade silver plated or plastic – is daily use. This also extends to dishwasher cleansing – all Villeroy & Boch cutlery items are absolutely dishwasher safe – providing the following recommendations are observed.

Washing in the dishwasher

• Cutlery can become tarnished or spotty in the machine due to food scraps, especially from potentially corrosive substances e.g. vinegar, salt, lemon juice – therefore, do not wait too long before washing. This applies particularly to monobloc knives. This is because of the lack of nickel in the blade. If cutlery is left for a period of time without rinsing, it is possible for corrosion and pitting (small pin marks) to occur, where the surface of the metal has been attacked. Nothing can be done to remove these marks if they have penetrated the surface.
• Always place cutlery items (of all kinds) with the handles facing downwards. This allows the soiled front parts to be hit directly by the water jets in the dishwasher.
• Do not pack the cutlery items too closely to one another, so that each piece can be hit by water from all sides.
• Place stainless steel and silver cutlery in separate compartments of the cutlery basket; never wash together in a single compartment. The hard steel could scratch the soft silver surface.
• Stainless steel should never be cleaned using a silver polish, there are many stainless steel cleaners available on the market.
• Never wash rusty iron (e.g. damaged cutlery baskets) or steel items together with stainless steel cutlery, as ‘surface rust’ could be transferred to the cutlery. If this should occur, the rust particles can be easily removed with a standard stainless steel cleaning agent (not on gold or partial gold handled cutlery).

Cutlery

• Use the recommended dosage for detergent and follow all further dishwasher manufacturer recommendations (as described under ‘china’).
• Many dishwashers are fitted with a water softener that must be regenerated with salt. After adding salt, knives must not be added to the dishwasher load until one complete programme has been done.
• Open the dishwasher directly after the rinse cycle ends – this will allow the steam to evaporate so that it does not tarnish the clean cutlery. Most stains, which are usually caused by hard water, can normally be cleaned off with a stainless steel cleaner, without leaving a mark.

Glass

With a few exceptions (e.g. glasses with gold or platinum detailing), Villeroy & Boch glasses are dishwasher safe. However, to prolong the life and looks of your glasses, please consider the following tips when cleaning your glasses in the dishwasher.

Tips for proper dishwashing

• After using glasses, rinse out any residue, particularly wine residue (the acid could damage the glass).
• Glasses should be placed in the dishwasher so that they can’t touch or knock against one another during the rinse cycle. This will prevent scratches or breakage.
• Always place glasses in the top rack of the dishwasher.
• High, slender glasses should not be placed in the corners of the rack, as the water jets must be able to reach all items in unhampered fashion.
• In order to retain the lustre of your glasses for longer periods, please make sure to use the correct programme time, detergent, washing temperature and water hardness.
• Use a delicate or glass programme that has a lower water temperature and the shortest rinse cycle.
• Follow dishwasher manufacturer recommendations for settings, detergent dosage, rinse aid and dishwasher salt. For lasting protection, the use of a special glass pro tective agent is recommended.
• Only use the recommended dosages for detergent and rinse aid.
• The detergent should be gentle and sand-free, so that glasses cannot be damaged.
• Depending on the water quality, softening or partial/full desalination is recommended. Refill the dishwasher salt regularly to avoid limescale, which can result from hard water.
• Always keep screen inserts, nozzles and spray arms clean.
• Always open the dishwasher door slightly for 5–10 minutes immediately after the rinse cycle ends, allowing condensation to evaporate.
• Hold glasses by the stem or base when removing them from the dishwasher. Be sure not to leave fingerprints on the glass.

Washing by hand

• Precious glasses which are not used every day – e.g. those with gold or silver detailing – should always be washed by hand and not in the dishwasher.
• Please use warm water and a soft cloth or a sponge.
• Use a mild detergent. Do not spray glasses with cleaning agents.
• If necessary, take off any sharpedged rings.
• Always hold glasses by the stem when washing.

Drying and polishing

• To wipe dry, place glasses upside down on a tea towel.
• For a special lustre, hold the glass by the stem with the bowl over steam.
• Dry glasses carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth. When washing your tea towels, please do not use fabric softeners or starch.
• For polishing, wait until the glasses have cooled down. It’s best to use pure linen cloths.
• First dry or polish the base. Then hold the glass in one hand and with the other, polish the bowl (do not hold the glass by the base while doing so – it could break off).

Further tips

• Glasses should be cool and completely dry before being placed in the cupboard.
• In order to avoid glass odour and breakage in the cupboard, be sure to keep the glasses upright, i.e. standing on the base (if glass odour should occur, simply rinse the glasses with cold water).
• When storing, make sure to avoid heating sources and direct sunlight, since both can lead to stresses or cracks in the glass.
• A cloudy coating, which makes glass surfaces less transparent, can be easily removed with a cloth dipped in ammonia solution. For fine ground details or engraving, please use a (tooth) brush with soft bristles.
• Condensation (damp mist) – e.g. in a carafe – will evaporate immediately if a bit of alcohol is poured into the carafe.
• Glasses that have been placed inside one another and are firmly stuck (please avoid this) can be easily separated by bringing the outside glass into contact with warm water. This also helps if the glass stopper is wedged into the carafe.