Can China Be Stored In The Garage?

Decorative china is one of the most elegant decor items one can have in their home. For some, china only comes out on the most special of occasions. For others, china is an heirloom passed down from generation to generation. Regardless of how your family uses china, it's important to store it in a safe manner to preserve it. You might be wondering if it's safe to store china in your garage. We've done the research to bring you the answer.

It's generally not a good idea to store china in the garage. Since the garage is not insulated as well as other parts of the house, it is more susceptible to temperature extremes. When china is subject to extreme temperatures, it can become discolored and damaged. China should be stored in a room temperature climate-controlled environment.

If you still have some questions about proper china storage, don't worry. In this guide, we'll discuss how to store your precious china safely. Just keep reading!

What Is The Best Way To Store China?

China is extremely fragile and precious, so a lot of care should be taken when it comes to storing it properly. Here we'll discuss some basic care tips to keep your china in excellent shape when you go to store it.

Keep The Pieces Separate

This step is often overlooked, but it is arguably the most important. When you pack your china, ensure that each piece is completely separate from the others. When china dishes are touching, the smallest bumps and impact could cause scratches or cracks.

A soft barrier between the pieces will help cushion them. Ensure that this soft barrier keeps each piece completely separate from the others in the set. Some basic cloth will do the trick, but if you're looking for a high level of protection for your china dishes, consider these felt plate dividers:

These felt dividers will offer a high level of protection for your precious china dishes. Simply place one in between each dish when you pack for peace of mind.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

For even more shock protection, consider these quilted cases:

Place your prized dishes separately in these quilted dish cases. The thick material will ensure your china dishes are protected.

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Inventory Your Pieces

While you pack your china, it's a good idea to take note of the specific pieces you have. Odds are that your fine china only comes out once in a blue moon, so it's smart to keep a list of which pieces you have. That way you'll know how many dishes you have for that big occasion without having to unpack them first.

Keep The China Away From Extreme Temperatures

Like we mentioned earlier, temperature extremes can damage fine china. This includes high humidity as well. This means that places like the garage and attic are off the table. To best preserve your fine china's elegant beauty, keep it in a room that will always remain at or close to room temperature with a low level of humidity.

Place It Wisely

Once you determine which room you'll store your china in, where you should place it will depend on your household. If you have an empty nest and no little kids running about, you'll have more flexibility in regard to where exactly you place your china. If you do have young kids or grandchildren around, it's prudent to choose a more inaccessible storage location for your fine china.

Another china storage consideration is where exactly it is placed in a room. You don't want to put it on the ground where it might get kicked or stepped on, nor do you want it placed so high that it's difficult to access when you need to get it out for that special occasion.

Once you find a shelf or cabinet that's just the right height, place the china somewhere near the middle of the shelf. If it's too close to the edge, it might fall and break. On the other hand, if it's too far back, you risk dropping it if you have to do a balancing act to get to it.

At What Temperature Does China Crack?

There is no set minimum and maximum temperature that fine china can withstand before cracking. Each piece is different, and various factors will determine at what temperature your china will crack.

As mentioned, the best way to prevent your fine china from cracking and breaking is to store it with ample cushion at room temperature. If you do so, you won't have to worry about your china cracking.

How Do You Pack Fine China For Long-Term Storage?

If you don't use your fine china very often, you've likely considered putting your set in long-term storage. As long as you take the right packing and storage precautions, your china can be stored safely.

Packing

When it comes to actually packing the pieces, simply adhere to the guidance we gave earlier but with a bit more love and care. It's a good idea to be extra careful when packing your fine china for long-term storage. Between packing the china and transporting it to a storage unit, there's a lot of room for error that could result in cracked and broken dishes.

For long-term storage, we highly recommend a fine china storage set. These sets are made to accommodate all kinds of fine china, and they are ideal for packing and storing virtually any china set safely. Check out this set:

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Choosing A Storage Unit

If you plan on storing your fine china long term, there's more to consider than simply the method of packing. As mentioned, china can crack if exposed to extreme temperatures, so it's crucial to select a climate-controlled storage unit, preferably one that's indoors.

Climate-controlled units will maintain a temperature close to room temperature (generally between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit). This means your precious china won't be exposed to harsh temperature extremes that could cause it to break.

In Closing

We hope this post has helped you better understand how to safely pack and store your family's precious china. If you follow our advice, you can rest assured that your china will be well-preserved for generations to come!

Before you go, be sure to check out these other great kitchen guides:

Kitchen Tools VS Kitchen Utensils VS Kitchen Equipment

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