How to Care for Handmade Pottery

Handmade pottery deserves thoughtful care. With simple habits, your pieces will remain beautiful and functional for decades — even generations.

Step 1: Wash by Hand After Each Use

Hand-washing is the single most protective thing you can do. Use warm water and a mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that scratch glazed surfaces. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air-dry or dry with a soft cloth.

Why avoid the dishwasher? The high heat and harsh detergents in dishwashers can cause glaze crazing (a network of fine surface cracks), fade colors over time, and stress the clay body. Some potters design pieces for dishwasher use — if so, they'll tell you. Otherwise, hand-wash.

Step 2: Handle Thermal Shifts Carefully

Never move pottery directly from refrigerator to hot water or oven. Sudden temperature changes cause thermal shock, which can crack even well-made pieces.

• Microwave: Most undecorated pottery is microwave-safe. Test by placing the empty piece in the microwave for 30 seconds — if the pottery is warmer than the water in a separate cup, avoid microwaving it.
• Oven: High-fired stoneware and porcelain can typically go into a cold oven that's then heated. Don't place cold pottery into a preheated oven.

Step 3: Store Thoughtfully

Stack cups and bowls with a soft cloth or felt pad between them to prevent scratching. Don't stack heavy pieces on delicate ones. Store rarely-used pieces where they won't be knocked.

Step 4: Check Food Surfaces Periodically

Examine the inside of mugs and bowls periodically for cracks in the glaze. Hairline cracks can harbor bacteria. A piece with significant interior crazing that you use for food or drink may need to be retired from that use — it can still be beautiful as a plant holder or decorative piece.

Step 5: Address Chips and Cracks

• Small rim chips can be carefully sanded smooth with 400-grit wet-dry sandpaper to prevent cutting your lip
• Structural cracks mean the piece may break further with use — retire it from functional use
• Kintsugi repair — the Japanese practice of repairing with gold lacquer — is a beautiful option for sentimental pieces; some ceramicists offer this service

Step 6: Remove Stains

Coffee and tea stain unglazed surfaces over time. A paste of baking soda and water left on the stain for 10–15 minutes, then scrubbed gently, usually lifts it. White vinegar can help with mineral deposits from hard water.