News Flash: Your Plates Aren't Actually Scratched

It's become a cliché to say this phrase, but I was "today years old" when I learned yet another mind-blowing hack from TikTok. From how to use (and load!) my dishwasher properly, to ingenious cleaning tips, my kitchen is undoubtedly cleaner and my life has been made easier, thanks to the video-sharing app. Well, I've got another winning tip for you.

If you have a set of older dishes covered in grey or black scratches, you probably thought they were scratched beyond repair, and destined for the donation box, or worse, the dump. But don't be fooled—they're not scratches at all, according to the latest viral #CleanTok video. Here's what you need to know about "scratched" dishes and how to make them look like new.

How to Remove Scratch Marks on Dishes

It's important to understand that the scratches on your ceramic dishes are not technically scratches, they're scuffs—meaning they are just superficial marks, not scores or indentations. And since they're only surface scuffs, they're incredibly easy to remove. But first, it's important to understand what those marks are from.

Ceramic materials, like the ones your dishes are made out of, are extremely hard—and notably harder than the metals your silverware is composed of. So when you use those forks and knives on ceramic dishes, they're leaving metal deposits on the ceramic. That's what creates the marks that look like scratches, but are actually not. It simply takes a little elbow grease—and something mildly abrasive—to remove them.

All you have to do is wet the plate or bowl with a little water, then add an abrasive to scour the surface. This could be baking soda, cream of tartar, or a cleaning product like Bar Keeper's Friend or Bon Ami. With a little water, it forms a paste that's abrasive enough to remove the marks, but not enough to scratch your dishes. Personally, I tested two methods, baking soda, and Bar Keeper's Friend powdered cleanser.

I was super impressed by this method. It worked in seconds, and the paste visibly changed color from white to gray as it rubbed off the metallic marks. Both products worked, but Bar Keeper's Friend was much easier, while the baking soda paste required a little more muscle and a second treatment. In the end, I used Bar Keeper's Friend to clean the rest of my plates and they look as good as new!

Over the years, I've donated and gotten rid of a few (admittedly cheap) dishware sets because I thought they were irreparably scratched and damaged. Now I know better. If you ever find any particularly beautiful ceramics at thrift or antique stores, don't let a few scratches or marks deter you. Use this mind-blowing method and thank me later!