What is the safest way to care for antique Spode porcelain or earthenware?

Hand wash with mild soap, lukewarm water, and a soft cloth, the rinse and dry right away. Avoid long soaking, abrasive pads, and strong dishwasher detergents. Pieces with gold, enamel, or painted details are at higher risk from heat and friction. Support plates from the base, not by the rim, and store with padding between stacked items to prevent glaze scratches. For display, keep pieces away from high moisture swings and direct sun, since light can affect some painted overglaze colours. Modern Spode sets may list dishwasher and microwave suitability on product pages, yet that guidance is for current manufacturing, not antiques. If you have a mixed set of old and new in the same pattern, treat the older pieces as the baseline for care.