Handmade pottery is made for use, but a few everyday habits can help keep each piece looking its best. Care depends on the clay, glaze, and firing process, so follow any instructions from the maker first. When you’re unsure, gentle handwashing and gradual temperature changes are good defaults. These practical steps can help protect mugs, bowls, and serving pieces from avoidable chips, stains, and stress.
Wash Gently and Dry Well
For routine cleaning, use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid scouring pads, abrasive powders, and hard scrubbing, which can scratch some glazes or wear down decorative details. Rinse away soap, then dry the piece with a towel or let it air-dry fully before storing it.
If food sticks, soak the piece in warm, soapy water rather than scraping it with a knife or metal utensil. For stains, try a gentle paste of baking soda and water on glazed surfaces, testing a small area first. Don’t use sudden temperature changes to loosen residue; thermal shock can cause some ceramics to crack.
Use Heat With Care
Check with the maker before putting handmade pottery in a microwave, oven, freezer, or dishwasher. A piece may be sturdy enough for one appliance but unsuitable for another. Metallic decoration, uneven glaze, or a handmade shape can affect how it responds to heat or cleaning cycles.
Avoid moving a cold ceramic dish straight into a hot oven or pouring boiling liquid into a chilled mug. Let pottery warm or cool gradually, and use a trivet or heat-resistant pad for hot pieces. Don’t place a hot item on a wet or cold surface, where a sharp temperature change may stress the clay.
Protect Glaze and Shape
Handle pottery with a secure grip, especially when a piece is wet or filled with hot liquid. Lift bowls and plates from underneath instead of pulling them by a handle or rim. If a handle feels loose, a rim has a sharp chip, or a crack appears, stop using the piece for food and ask the maker whether it can be repaired safely.
Stack pieces only when they sit securely, and place a soft cloth or paper between them if their surfaces rub. Store mugs by their bases rather than hanging them from handles. Avoid crowded cupboards where pottery can knock against hard cookware when doors open or items shift.
Know When to Ask the Maker
Handmade ceramics vary. Some makers intentionally leave parts of a piece unglazed, while others use finishes that need particular care. Ask about food safety, dishwasher use, and temperature limits if the information wasn’t provided. Keep care instructions with the piece so everyone in your household knows how to use it.
Small changes can also help you spot problems early. Check occasionally for new cracks, rough chips, or glaze that is flaking. Don’t assume a piece is safe for food just because it looks glazed; contact the maker if you’re uncertain. Rain City Clay can answer care questions about pieces from its studio.
Gentle washing, careful handling, and gradual temperature changes help reduce everyday wear on handmade pottery. Because each piece is different, the maker’s guidance should take priority over general advice. Keep that information nearby, and reach out to the studio with questions about a specific ceramic piece or how to care for it.