Product care guide · 2026-05-28

How to Care for Your Handmade Ceramics & Pottery

Handmade ceramics and pottery can last generations with the right care. This guide covers daily cleaning, thermal shock prevention, food-safe glaze maintenance, and storage practices based on published recommendations from ceramic material suppliers and museum conservation departments.

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Routine care

Proper care extends the life of handmade ceramics & pottery and keeps each piece looking its best. These steps are based on published care recommendations from material suppliers and conservation guidelines.

Hand-wash with mild soap

After each use

Wash handmade ceramics by hand using warm (not hot) water and a mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive sponges or scouring pads, which can scratch glazed surfaces and wear away decorative finishes. A soft cloth or non-scratch sponge is ideal. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Avoid thermal shock

Every use

Never move ceramics directly from a hot environment to a cold one or vice versa. Thermal shock — a rapid temperature change — can cause hairline cracks or outright breakage, even in well-fired stoneware. Let pieces cool to room temperature before washing. Never pour boiling water into a cold mug or place a hot dish on a cold stone countertop.

Dry completely before storing

After each wash

After washing, dry ceramics thoroughly with a clean towel or let them air-dry completely on a rack. Storing ceramics while damp can lead to moisture trapped under the glaze at the foot ring (the unglazed bottom), which can cause staining or mineral deposits over time.

Check for crazing periodically

Monthly

Crazing — fine hairline cracks in the glaze surface — is common in handmade ceramics and doesn't necessarily mean the piece is damaged. However, crazed surfaces can absorb stains and harbor bacteria in food-contact pieces. If crazing appears on a mug or bowl, consider retiring it to decorative use or contacting the maker about a food-safe re-glaze.

Remove tea and coffee stains

As needed

Staining inside mugs is normal and doesn't indicate a glaze problem. Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the stained area, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft cloth. For stubborn stains, soak overnight in a solution of one tablespoon white vinegar per cup of warm water.

Storage

How and where you store handmade ceramics & pottery matters as much as how you use them. Poor storage is one of the most common causes of preventable damage.

Stack ceramics with soft padding between pieces — felt pads, paper towels, or cloth napkins prevent glazed surfaces from scratching each other.
Store mugs on hooks or upright rather than stacking them. Stacked mugs concentrate pressure on the rim, which is the most fragile part.
Keep ceramics away from shelf edges where they can be knocked off. Pottery doesn't bounce.
Avoid storing ceramics in unheated spaces where temperatures drop below freezing. Absorbed moisture can freeze and expand, cracking the body.
For display pieces, keep them out of direct sunlight. Some glazes (especially those containing certain metal oxides) can fade with prolonged UV exposure.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even well-intentioned care can damage handmade items if you use the wrong method. Here are the most common mistakes and what to do instead.

Putting handmade ceramics in the dishwasher

What happens: Dishwasher detergents are more abrasive than hand-washing soap and can dull glazes over time. The high heat and rapid temperature changes in a dishwasher cycle also increase the risk of thermal shock, especially in pieces with thicker walls or uneven wall thickness (common in handmade work).

Instead: Hand-wash with warm water and mild soap. If the maker specifically states their piece is dishwasher-safe, place it on the top rack only.

Microwaving ceramics with metallic glazes or lusters

What happens: Metallic elements in glazes (gold, silver, copper, and iron lusters) can arc and spark in the microwave, damaging the piece and potentially the microwave. Some reduction-fired glazes contain metal particles that aren't visible.

Instead: Check with the maker before microwaving. If the glaze has any shimmer, metallic sheen, or the maker doesn't confirm microwave safety, don't microwave it.

Soaking unglazed or partially glazed pieces

What happens: Unglazed clay is porous and absorbs water. Extended soaking can cause staining, mineral deposits, or weaken the clay body over time. The unglazed foot ring at the bottom of most pieces is particularly susceptible.

Instead: Wash unglazed pieces quickly and dry them immediately. For terracotta or pit-fired pottery, wipe clean with a damp cloth rather than submerging.

Using bleach or harsh chemicals to clean stains

What happens: Bleach can damage certain glazes and discolor the clay body where it contacts unglazed areas. Harsh chemicals can also break down the surface of low-fired decorative pieces.

Instead: Use baking soda paste or a vinegar soak for stain removal. For stubborn stains, hydrogen peroxide (3%) is a gentler alternative to bleach.

Simple repairs

Minor wear is normal and often fixable at home. For significant damage, consult the maker or a professional conservator.

Small chips on the rim can sometimes be smoothed with fine-grit wet sandpaper (400-grit or finer) to remove sharp edges, though this removes the glaze at that spot.
Clean breaks on stoneware can be repaired with food-safe epoxy for decorative use. For food-contact pieces, ask the maker about a professional repair or replacement.
Kintsugi (Japanese golden repair) is an option for decorative repair that celebrates the break rather than hiding it. Kits are available, or seek a professional kintsugi artist for valuable pieces.
Crazing on food-contact surfaces can sometimes be addressed by the original potter with a re-fire, if the piece is structurally sound. Contact the maker before attempting any DIY fix.

Why handmade items are worth the care

They last longer

Handmade items are typically built from higher-quality materials and constructed with more attention to durability than mass-produced equivalents. Proper care lets that quality show over years of use.

They develop character

Many handmade materials — leather, wood, ceramics, metals — develop a patina or subtle changes with use. This aging is a feature of natural materials, not a defect.

They reduce waste

A well-maintained handmade piece that lasts a decade replaces multiple disposable alternatives. Caring for what you own is one of the simplest sustainability choices you can make.

They can be repaired

Unlike factory items designed for disposal, most handmade pieces can be repaired by the original maker or a skilled artisan. The maker often knows exactly how to fix their own work.

Frequently asked questions

Is handmade pottery food-safe?

It depends on the glaze and firing temperature. Stoneware and porcelain fired to maturity (typically cone 6-10, or about 2200-2380 degrees F) with food-safe glazes are generally safe for food contact. Low-fired earthenware and decorative pieces may not be. Ask the maker — reputable potters will tell you whether a piece is food-safe and what glazes they use. In the US, FDA standards apply to ceramic food-contact surfaces.

Can I put handmade pottery in the oven?

Only if the maker specifically says it's oven-safe. Even oven-safe ceramics should be placed in a cold oven and heated gradually to avoid thermal shock. Never put a ceramic piece from the refrigerator directly into a hot oven. Avoid the broiler, which creates extreme surface heat.

Why does my handmade mug have a rough bottom?

The unglazed ring at the bottom is called the foot ring. Potters leave this area unglazed so the piece doesn't stick to the kiln shelf during firing. You can smooth a rough foot with fine sandpaper (320-grit) to prevent it from scratching tables. Some potters do this before selling; others leave it for the buyer to finish.

Is the fine cracking in the glaze a defect?

Crazing (fine hairline cracks in the glaze surface) happens when the glaze and clay body have slightly different expansion rates. It's extremely common in handmade ceramics and is considered a decorative feature in some traditions (Japanese and Chinese celadon, for example). However, crazing on food-contact surfaces can trap bacteria and stains, so those pieces are better used decoratively.

How do I remove a musty smell from a ceramic piece?

Soak the piece in a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts warm water for several hours, then wash normally with soap and water. For persistent odors, fill the piece with dry baking soda and leave it overnight. If the smell persists, the clay body may have absorbed something through an unglazed area — try placing it in direct sunlight for a few hours.

Should I season my handmade ceramic baking dish?

Unlike cast iron, glazed ceramics don't need seasoning. The glaze creates a non-porous surface. However, unglazed baking stones and pizza stones benefit from an initial soak in water (30 minutes) before first use, which helps distribute heat more evenly.

Last updated 2026-05-28. Care recommendations are based on published guidance from material suppliers, trade organizations, and museum conservation departments. Always follow any specific care instructions provided by your item's maker.