Swapping cups and plates.

About ten years ago I replaced all our everyday stuff with an Emma Bridgewater design, eight of everything, doubling up on tea plates.
Unlike Emma Bridgewater they very quickly dropped the design, so every time I see anything in their sale pages, or anywhere else, I buy it.
I’ve also been buying slight variations, so I have quite a quantity of never been used at all.

We have set of crockery for 12, mostly large plates used, small dishwasher is run every 5/6 days, the small plates don’t get moved about. Both have our own mugs with about 5 spare, visitors are often for meals, so more likely to be a glass than a mug.

My two daughters have their own mugs when they visit. Put away in a cupboard in between times. My son is not bothered which mug he has. I also have a summer, winter and Christmas mug to use. Mr R uses the same one all year round.

I have a few chipped ex favourite mugs dotted around that get used for pen holders, loose cash and bits and bobs. I somehow don't like to part with them

Most of my regularly used crockery gets used before the dishwasher is full so they all get an outing, but when I worked full time and lived alone, some of the mugs got dusty as I had most cups of coffee away from the house. Now my daughter is back living with me and working from home a lot, some of the mugs from the back of the cupboard get regular outings. She has different mug preferences too so some have been used that I never use myself! We are such creatures of habit though. My favourite mugs are on racks on the wall while the ones she likes are in the cupboard!

Dh and i use the same mugs/plates/dishes overand over again.
The same with cutlery.
I think it`s time for a kitchen de-clutter.
I`m pretty much the same with clothing too,i have a double wardrobe i haven`t opened in ages.

Our plates are very heavy (Portmeiron) so I keep taking the top two from the pile, while telling myself I really must bin the one with the faint crack and buy a replacement. I like to have a dozen of all plates and bowls - can easily get through them when even just a couple of people are staying.

Mugs are all on two mug trees, one or two extras in a cupboard, so no problem there. Cups, just one or two, remnants of former crockery, only really used for a bit of leftover sauce or gravy (to be added to a soup) or for cracking an egg into.

When my new kitchen was installed I replaced all the cupboard style base units with pull out drawers, which show all the crockery casseroles, etc etc when I pull them out.

Now I can see everything, I am using a wider range of cooking pots. serving dishes and bits and pieces. Items that previously mouldered quietly at the back of cupboards, unseen and unused are back in use.

I never used to rotate things much just grabbed the nearest to hand however recently saw how tatty my underwear was getting and resolved to get some new ones only to discover some lovely unworn ones further down the drawer so am now being more selective. I have to admit though I do use my favourite 2 mugs constantly and visitors get 1 of the rest out of the cupboard !

I've got so many mugs that I've run out of hooks to hang them on. Please don't give me any more mugs!
I used to rotate plates etc, but now, because of my pesky back, I keep a little collection of small plate, medium plate, large plate, and 2 bowls out permanently on the worktop to save bending down into the cupboard, for everyday use.

I blame Beauty and the Beast

I try to rotate dishes but don’t do a very good job! I live alone so tend to use the same ones for myself every day. When all or some of my family come over for a meal they all get used so I do need quite a few. I have a couple of favourite large mugs and am strict about not having too many, although I do have an exquisite set of three which I rarely use; they are just too beautiful to let go! My favourite piece of china is a blue and white bowl which was part of an old set my mum had. She always ate her cereal in it as she loved it. I do the same now and hope it lasts forever as it reminds me of her.

We've just moved and downsized so lots of China, glassware ...linen and household others went to a lovely charity in Southampton who help homeless people who have been given accommodation with items they need to set up home. Then my lovely friend found out she was going to be moving and no longer needed her Portmerion China ( which I had always coveted) and asked me if I would like it... We now have 14 dinner plates and the same number in 3 other sized side plates... bowls... Cups... Saucers... Mugs ( tea and coffee) along with serving dishes... Gravy boat... Etc etc. I love it and yes I do try and rotate so the bottom plates etc get used but it's like weight lifting trying to get to the bottom of the pile. Having given away all my towels bar 2 sets...I had to whizz to Dunelm to get another set when DOH parents came to stay. I can't say I rotate knickers though as my underwear has to match. ( I've been known to change my outfit if I couldn't find appropriate matching bra and pants). My daughters used to love to wind me up by saying they were wearing unmatched sets. Lol

Yes, I admit I rotate these plates. I count along and select, say, the third and fifth. Next time it'll be a different pair. Weird...

We never rotate any crockery. Just use whatever we need at the time, if we break any, just get a different one from the cupboard

no the first plate/bowl I get hold of is the one I use, they come out the dishwasher and just get put in the right place with clean ones going on top of existing ones. Prefer the chunky cups for my hot drinks, but they stack in a holder, again put in in the order they come out of the dishwasher.
Just been and asked my bottom plates but they assure me they don't feel left out
Hubby on the other hand will only use certain cups/bowls and a fork, apparently food doesn't taste right off of any other fork.

I sort of rotate plates and mugs depending on where I put them in the cupboard. None of them match, I just buy what takes my fancy. Our dinner service is all white, but not all matching as pieces have been broken over the years and the pattern's no longer available, so I replaced with something similar. We have 24 place settings plus numerous serving dishes - very handy when all the family visit - so I really wouldn't want to buy a new dinner service just because a few pieces don't match!

I swap towels and tea towels around so they all get used, and I always have some new unused ones ready to replace any that start to look tattered. I buy all my linen and towels from a hotel suppliers, they rarely wear out but eventually the whites can start to look a bit grey. I have three full bed sets for each bed and towel bails for the family when they visit.

I remember my Mum's bed linen being full of darning and patches but she wouldn't replace it because it was fine linen. She thought cotton & polyester was cheap and common. Likewise she was quite happy to use chipped china because it was bone china and she hated 'thick' modern mugs. In fact she never used a mug, always a bone china cup and saucer.

The rare occasions DH puts the crockery away, he meticulously make sure they all have a turn! I don't have time and just shove them away as they come out of the dishwasher!

I do this too.
I used to eat the veg I didn’t like in case the veg got upset.
I do this with most things.
I thank my car at the end of journeys and hello using her name when I go on journeys.
Mad I know but that’s how it is.

I rotate mugs according to the season. In winter I use small chunky earthenware mugs-they hold the heat well, and are comfortable to cradle. For warmer weather I have several floral bone china mugs.

Slightly off piste here but for those who watch Gogglebox, have you ever noticed the endless array of mugs used by the brother and sister from Blackpool? Every single week they each have a new, chunky, uncomfortable looking mug. This week Sophie’s was in the shape of a green wheelie bin. I always wonder where they store all these surplus mugs. No rotating, just two new ones each week.

I am as tea towel addict, I have no idea why, as I don’t enjoy drying up, but I like to see them brightening up the kitchen.
I rotate them, and I’m not allowed to cheat, for example, I’m not allowed to delve into the middle to find a Christmas one at Christmas!
This morning is Emma Bridgewaters strawberries.

We use all dishes and cups since we fill our dishwasher. However, I do rotate my kitchen towels and dining chairs (all leather), so that they get equally used.

I do have some gorgeous china that I don't use. I eat my food from a shallow dish that is probably a hundred years old that is the perfect size. I have a mug collection that never gets used...all really lovely different designs. The mug I always use for my coffee has a chip...hahaha.

I would never have thought of rotating cups and plates - they don't wear out after all.

The theory of equalizing wear on household linen by putting the clean stuff at the bottom of the pile, sounds all right, but is it?

Does it not simply mean that it all wears out at the same time?

It is decidedly cheaper to buy one or two bath towels at a time than a whole stack of them.

I have about 12 mugs and as they get used they go in the dishwasher. So really I'm using all my mugs.