As a collector of vintage ironstone, I've come across some pieces over the years that were less than white. Some ironstone can be a bit yellow, or even have a blue tint depending on when it was produced. But what about when your vintage ironstone pieces have some brown stains on them? Never fear, there is a way to -- if not fully remove those stains -- make the stains much less noticeable. 

So how did my ironstone cleaning experiment go?

NOTE: I do not claim to be an expert at cleaning stains from ironstone. As with all my blog projects, I do my research and then I experiment. My testimonial here on cleaning ironstone is offered as a guide only. I can not be held responsible for any adverse outcomes should you choose to try this or any other method. (Can you tell I'm a lawyer?)

Okay, now on to the fun stuff!

I purchased this vintage ironstone platter at Goodwill for $4.99 many years ago. I've never displayed it with my ironstone collection due to the dark stains on it as you can see in the above photo.

SIDE NOTE: Sometimes ironstone has gray scratch-like marks on it from the wear and tear of utensils. One way to help remove those marks is with a baking soda paste. I've also heard that toothpaste can help remove those marks as well. I've not had to try either since none of my ironstone has had scratch marks on it. (More information on cleansers below.)

In addition to Thomas Hughes & Sons, Ltd., you can find vintage ironstone made by a number of manufacturers, including J&G Meakin, Johnson Brothers, and Homer Laughlin.

I’ve picked up ironstone at barn sales, flea markets, antique shops, estate sales, thrift shops —you name it! It’s not as cheap as it used to be, but if you keep an eye out you can still find bargains here and there.  

Ironstone comes in all shapes and sizes. My collection includes plates, platters, bowls, creamers, pitchers, soup tureens and vegetable tureens. I'm currently on the hunt for vintage ironstone butter pats, despite the fact that I hear they’re addictive!

None of my other ironstone pieces are stained as badly as this platter, so it was the perfect specimen for this experiment. You can see the dark stains ingrained in a number of areas.

While researching how to clean ironstone I found a few potential remedies, but I decided to try what seemed to be the easiest and safest method: soaking the ironstone in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution followed by a day or two in the sun.

HOW TO CLEAN STAINS FROM VINTAGE IRONSTONE

1. Buy enough 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to either submerge and/or cover your ironstone stains. 

2. Find a sealed plastic container big enough to hold your ironstone piece. 

3. Allow your ironstone piece to soak in 3% hydrogen peroxide for a few days in a sealed plastic container. Since my platter was actually indented like a bowl, I just poured some hydrogen peroxide into the "bowl" section and left the platter in the Sterlite container with the lid on for 2 days.  

4. Based on my research, this is the part where I'm supposed to tell you to remove your plate from the peroxide and place it in the sun for a few days until the stains have disappeared. 

However, ironically enough, I woke up on day 2 to torrential rain. So much for the sun. But when I went and checked on the plate IT LOOKED LIKE THE STAINS WERE ALREADY GONE!

I was both flabbergasted and overjoyed. The hydrogen peroxide worked like a charm! I can't get over it -- I think this plate looks fabulous! 

Now you can really see the fluted design around the inner portion of the plate, as well as the interesting round indentation in the middle of the plate, about the size of a dime. 

The wheat spikes on either side of the platter really pop now that the platter is more of a bright white.  

I was so excited with the results I had to display it immediately, so I swapped it out with another ironstone plate that was already hanging in my Vintage French Farmhouse Wire Ironstone Plate Rack.

While technically it's an oval shape like the other hanging stoneware plates, it has those interestingly shaped sides, almost like handles that help you to pick up and carry the platter.

I'd say that if you perform steps 1 through 3 but the stains haven't fully disappeared, you should definitely place the piece of ironstone out in the sun -- hopefully for a little bit of natural bleaching (don't ever use actual bleach on your ironstone).

I've included some formal recommendations for the cleaning of ironstone from the White Ironstone China Association below. You'll note that they recommend a dark container (mine was clear) and talk about potentially using a stronger peroxide solution and/or an electric (NOT gas) oven. I DO NOT RECOMMEND EITHER OF THE LATTER OPTIONS! BOTH ARE DANGEROUS IN THEIR OWN WAYS AND I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH TO ALWAYS USE THE LEAST DANGEROUS METHODS AVAILABLE (AS I HAVE DONE HERE).   

According to the White Ironstone China Association:

Removing Discoloration and 

Marks Resulting from Use

    Under-the-Glaze Discoloration: Use 3% Hydrogen Peroxide.

    Because ironstone is porous, grease or other food-related discoloration may appear under the glaze. Depending upon the severity of the discoloration, it may be chemically removed with (1) three percent hydrogen peroxide available in drug and grocery stores or (2) with the help of someone familiar with the use of stronger hydrogen peroxide. (I do not recommend this.)

    Process: Obtain a dark, non-translucent plastic container with a tight-fitting lid and place the item in the container. Light and air weaken the strength of the peroxide. Purchase the amount of peroxide that will be needed to cover the item. After several days take the item out of the peroxide and place it on heavy paper in strong sunlight to allow the peroxide to vaporize or in an electric oven at a temperature of 200 degrees for about 30 minutes {I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS.} To prevent an explosion, do not use a gas oven. If the stain is still apparent, repeat the process. After cleaning a piece of ironstone, wash it thoroughly to eliminate the possibility of the migration of any remaining peroxide to food.

    Never use chlorine bleach such as Clorox because the chlorine will penetrate the ironstone glaze and be absorbed into the clay body. Over time the glaze and the clay body will begin to disintegrate. Beware of any item that smells like bleach and has traces of a white powder.

    Surface Marks: Use common cleaners such as those identified below.

        Rust Stains: Naval jelly and ZUD
        Utensil Marks: Bar Keeper's Friend or toothpaste applied on a moistened cloth {or baking soda paste}
        Other Marks: Denture tablets, Calgon water softener with a Z code, or ammonia sealed in plastic 

If you try to remove stains from ironstone my way, hopefully you'll have the same success rate. It was inexpensive, easy and fast. That's my kind of solution to a problem!

Now, on to the hunt for ironstone butter pats! 

I hope you enjoyed reading about

How To Clean Stains From Vintage Ironstone

and that I've inspired you in some way. 

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