Cleaning nicotine stains off china

Ruby_Pudding

Hello all

I've had a quick look in the cleaning index but I couldn't see anything about this (apologies if it is there)

My grandfather wants to give me an ornament that has sat in his front room for 20 years - I really love it but my granddad smokes 20 a day and the piece is now practically yellow with tar which is a real shame.

Does anyone know how I can safely clean off the nicotine stains without damaging the ornament itself?

Many thanks

squeaky

Yes, sugar soap. It's wonderful stuff and cuts through nicotine like nothing else I know of and is gentle too.

You'll find it in most DIY stores. I bought a bottle of ready made stuff since I was only going to be using a small amount.

apprentice_tycoon

Is it a piece that's hand painted? you might have to go very carefully if so

Bibendum

Have a try of those magic eraser foams, available in supermarkets now. They work well on tea stains so maybe fine with nicotine too!

black-saturn

Bicarbonate of soda maybe?

Ruby_Pudding

I don't think it's hand painted but I'll clean it carefully whichever method I use. Many thanks for all your advice :-)

lellie

squeaky wrote:

Yes, sugar soap. It's wonderful stuff and cuts through nicotine like nothing else I know of and is gentle too.

You'll find it in most DIY stores. I bought a bottle of ready made stuff since I was only going to be using a small amount.

Sugar soap GENTLE? It'll eat your hand if you're not careful

Nile

I would be tempted to try a denture cleaning tablet. Don't buy an expensive brand (like Steradent), Wilko sell Superdent tablets which are cheaper but are exactly the same as the expensive brand...........because they're made by the same manufacturer.;)


I would place the ornament in a plastic jug. You'll probably need two (or more) denture tablets for the volume of water in the jug...........based on the one tablet per cup/mug measure.

Don't use boiling water, the water should only be as hot as your finger can bear.

Leave to soak for overnight.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.