6 Telltale Signs You Need New Dishes ASAP, According to Pros

It doesn't matter if you purchased your dishes with the intention of keeping them forever; after all, even the best-made plates, mugs, bowls, and beyond will need to be replaced eventually. So don't feel bad about parting ways with pieces in your collection if they're just not serving you anymore, whether that's due to a changing personal aesthetic or increased signs of wear and tear.

Below, experts share six key factors that indicate that it's time to go shopping for some new dishware that will make your day-to-day meals a bit more enjoyable.

Meet the Experts

• Jessica Randhawa is the founder of the culinary website The Forked Spoon.

• Kevin Ashton is the chef and culinary advisor at Restaurantji.

There Are Visible Cracks

Visible cracks on your dishes are not only visually unappealing, but they may also be unsafe for a couple of reasons.

For one, cracks can harbor bacteria, but they can also result in breakage, which can pose extra danger if a dish breaks while housing something hot that then spills and burns you, Jessica Randhawa, the founder of the culinary website The Forked Spoon, says.

Your Dishware Has Chips

Cracks aren't the only flaws you'll need to worry about; chips are also a sign that your dishware is ready for retirement.

"Chipped dishware can be sharp and potentially cut your mouth or hands," Randhawa says. "Additionally, it can compromise the structural integrity of the dish, making it more likely to break during use."

Tip

Part ways with dishware at the first signs of a crack or chip. You don't want to hold onto a piece any longer once it's clearly indicating that it's past its prime.

Your Dishware Has Stains or Scratches

While dishes are constantly getting dirty, they shouldn't hold onto stains, which can result from certain foods or liquids (such as coffee, for example) over time.

"It might be time for a fresh set if you notice persistent stains that don't wash away," Randhawa says, who adds that porcelains and ceramics are most heavily affected.

Scratches may also occur from utensils scraping on dishes over time. Randhawa advises replacing your bowls and plates if they look excessively scratched.

You Own Tons of Mismatched Pieces

While there's something charming about a mismatched tablescape, you should have at least a couple of complete sets of dishes. If this is the case, you may want to consider purchasing a new set of dishware that will provide a more polished dining look and experience, Kevin Ashton, chef and culinary advisor at Restaurantji, says.

You may also want to consider donating any mismatched pieces if they're still in good shape, so they can get a second life.

Your Dishes Don't Reflect Your Style

On a similar note, if you don't look forward to utilizing your dishes each day and find that they don't reflect your personal aesthetic, it may also be time to shop for a new set, Ashton notes. He adds that you should also appreciate the way food looks on your dishes; presentation can go a long way.

"There is a high chance that when you bought your first set of dishes, you only paid attention to how pretty they were," he says. "You were hooked to the design but never thought about how your food would look on them."

Therefore, it's imperative to take both form and function into account when dish shopping—your dishes should appeal to your style but also make serving and presenting food a breeze.

Your Dishes Don't Complement Your Lifestyle

Your dishes shouldn't just match your style but should also complement your lifestyle.

"If your current set no longer meets your practical needs or personal style, upgrading your dishware can be both functional and rejuvenating for your daily meals," Randhawa says.

For example, she explains, this may mean needing to purchase dishwasher, microwave-safe options, or investing in more place settings due to a growing family size.

Tip

To make your day-to-day life easier, purchase dishes that you can easily use to heat up food in the microwave and clean in the dishwasher to save time. Not everyone's lifestyle is conducive to hand-wash-only items.

Read Next: Washing Dishes in Cold Water? 12 Reasons You Should Stop

Read the original article on The Spruce.