DIY Network

Dining Room Dining Room From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-116

Today the queenly subject is presenting a beautifully set table, and that means sparkling crystal, china and silver with no spots, cracks or tarnish. Even if you don't have servants in your castle's dining room, today you'll learn how to create and experience five-star dining. But first, a few questions:

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Q: How do you remove red marking pen from part-polyester and part-cotton fabric?

A: Permanent marker may not be possible to remove, but you can try dipping the fabric in denatured alcohol, after first testing the fabric for colorfastness in an inconspicuous place.

Q: Is there an all-purpose carpet cleaner for grease, tar and general high-traffic carpet stains?

A: If you have a family that creates wear and tear on the carpet, consider renting or buying a good steam cleaner. For normal spots like grease and soil, use a good general carpet spotter. Try a few and choose the one that works best for your needs. For tar stains, use 50 percent glycerin mixed with 50 percent warm water. Scrape off as much tar as possible, then work the glycerin mixture into the carpet. Scrape off remaining tar and clean with a general carpet cleaner.

Q: How do you clean leather furniture and car upholstery?

A: Use a damp washcloth and Dove moisturizing bar soap. Lather the cloth, wash the leather and buff dry without rinsing. The moisturizers in the soap act as a conditioner for the leather.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Cleaning China and Crystal

Washing crystal and china is really a fine art. It's important to do it right and do it carefully. You never want to put china -- especially antique, hand-painted or metal-rimmed china -- or crystal in the dishwasher because they are easily damaged and chipped.

Steps:

1. Fill one side of the sink with warm water. Never use hot water when washing delicate china and crystal: if it's too hot for your hands, it's too hot for china and crystal -- and sudden changes of temperature can cause dishes and glasses to crack.

2. Fold a towel and place it in the bottom of the sink to act as a cushion for dishes and glasses (figure A).

3. Fold a towel and place it in the rinse side of the sink.

4. Add a generous squirt of liquid dish soap to the wash water.

5. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the wash water. The vinegar will cut any grease and water spots on crystal, and it's a natural and safe cleaner, so don't worry if you add more than a tablespoon of it to the water.

6. Wash a few pieces at a time, laying crystal on its side as it goes into the water (figure B). This method helps lessen the temperature difference between the room and the water.

7. Wash crystal with your hands, not a cloth, then gently rinse.

8. Dry gently, using a lint-free or linen cloth.

9. Store stem-side down: storing cup-side down endangers the delicate rim of the glass.

10. Hand-wash china and either dry with a towel or air-dry in a dish drain; just don't crowd pieces together (figure C).