Chipped Dishes Are Not Worth Keeping. Here's Why They Need To Go

Used to serve our meals and enhance our dining experience, dishware is an essential part of our daily lives. However, as they age, our plates, cups, and dishes may develop chips and cracks. While you may be tempted to hold on to these damaged items, the reality is that they pose a variety of risks.

Chipped dishes can negatively impact the overall look and feel of your dining experience. They can make a table setting appear shabby and unappealing, which can detract from the enjoyment of the meal. Moreover, if you're hosting guests, chipped dishes can send the message that you don't care about their comfort and well-being, which can be off-putting. However, there are more serious reasons why chipped dishes are not worth keeping and why it's important to replace them. We'll examine the health risks associated with chipped dishes and their impact on your dining experience, and find ways to repurpose and upcycle them.

Chipped dishes may seem like a minor inconvenience, but they can actually pose health risks. The chips can create sharp edges that can cut your hands or mouth, and they can also harbor harmful bacteria. Even if you wash your chipped dishes thoroughly, bacteria can still thrive in the tiny crevices and cracks. In some cases, the dangers of chipped dishes are severe enough to warrant legal action, which is why it is against health and safety regulations for restaurants to use chipped dishes due to the increased risk of foodborne illnesses.

When you eat off a chipped dish, you risk ingesting this bacteria, which can lead to food poisoning and other illnesses. Additionally, chipped dishes are more likely to break, which can result in dangerous shards of glass or ceramic. The repeated use of chipped dishes can cause the damage to worsen, creating more areas for bacteria to hide and grow.

Chipped bowls and dishes don't have to go to waste, though. There are many ways to repurpose or upcycle them, giving them a new lease of life and keeping them out of the landfill — with a little creativity, you can turn them into something beautiful and useful. You can use chipped bowls and dishes for non-food purposes, such as jewelry holders, or as a place to keep keys or other small items. 

They can also be used as planters for succulents or other small plants, or, if you're creative, you can turn chipped dishes into beautiful mosaic art. Break the dishes into small pieces and use them to create a unique mosaic design on a tray, mirror, or picture frame. They can be used to create a DIY bird bath for your garden by stacking the dishes on top of each other and securing them with a strong adhesive. Finally, you can turn chipped bowls and dishes into beautiful candle holders by placing a small candle in the center.