Pottery Clay would like to share 5 tips on how to care for ceramics, clean them, and preserve their beauty.

Before each piece of ceramic or pottery can emerge beautifully, it must go through many stages, including shaping, decorating, drying, glazing, and high-temperature firing, which takes several days to several weeks, depending on the type of clay and production techniques.

For this reason, ceramics are not just functional vessels but also valuable handicrafts that should be cared for properly to ensure their longevity and maintain their beauty.

Pottery Clay has compiled 5 easy ways to care for ceramics for you.

1. Clean ceramics correctly

Cleaning is not just about washing until clean, but should start from how you handle the piece.

Before placing the item, use a thick cloth as a垫 to reduce impact and prevent the bottom of the vessel from chipping or cracking. Then, use warm water mixed with a mild dish soap and a soft sponge to gently wipe and clean.

Avoid wearing rings, watches, or jewelry while cleaning, as they may cause scratches on the glazed surface.

After washing, wipe with a microfiber or soft cloth and air dry before storing.

2. Care for scratches and crazing

After prolonged use, some ceramic pieces may develop scratches or crazing.

• Scratches: For shallow scratches, you can use a small amount of baking soda mixed with water, or white toothpaste (without abrasive particles), gently rubbed with a soft sponge.
• Crazing: Crazing refers to small cracks on the glaze layer, caused by the differential expansion of the clay body and glaze. Generally, it cannot be permanently repaired.

If there is accumulated residue in the crazing, you can soak the item in warm water mixed with a mild cleaner and use a soft-bristled brush to clean it, reducing embedded stains.

Note: The popular milk-soaking method is not scientifically proven to remove crazing and may cause odor or residue accumulation if not thoroughly cleaned.

3. Safely remove stubborn stains

If you find stubborn tea, coffee, or food stains, avoid using abrasive materials, as they can damage the glaze.

It is recommended to choose one of the following methods:

• Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, apply it, and let it sit for about 10–15 minutes before wiping off.
• Mix vinegar and water in equal parts to help dissolve limescale or mineral stains.

Then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.

4. Wash immediately after use

Do not allow food or beverage stains to dry on the vessel for an extended period, as the stains will set, become difficult to clean, and may cause the glaze to dull faster than usual.

Washing immediately after use helps maintain cleanliness, reduces stain accumulation, and extends the lifespan of ceramic vessels.

5. Store ceramics correctly

If you need to store ceramics for a long time or transport them, wrap them with corrugated paper, bubble wrap, or foam padding, instead of newspaper, which may transfer ink to the surface of the piece.

When storing, arrange them stably, not stacked too high, and avoid impact to prevent chipping or cracking.

Care for ceramics correctly to extend their lifespan

Quality-made ceramics can last for many years with proper care, including cleaning, use, and storage.

If you are looking for high-quality ceramic clay, ceramic glazes, pottery tools, or ceramic kilns, Pottery Clay is ready to provide advice and select products suitable for beginners, artists, and professional ceramic makers.