How to care for ceramics

Maintaining Ceramic Pottery

Ceramics are one of mankind’s oldest inventions, and we’ve become really good at both creating and looking after ceramics over the last few thousand years. Any ceramic includes an object that is shaped when wet and hardened by heat, and this itself can consist of a number of different styles. 

Cleaning Ceramics

Before attempting to clean a ceramic, it’s important that you know what kind it is, and what materials it is made of. A simple examination is a good place to start, and having as much information on the piece can ensure no damage is caused when cleaning. Some problems that are fairly common include:

• Structural damage, such as chips, and cracks. Tapping on porcelain should give a clear, ringing tone. A dull sound may indicate damage.
• Crazing or pitting in the glaze, or firing cracks.
• Flaking, lifting, or unstable surface.
• Raised enamels that can be coming raised off the surface and may flake during cleaning.
• Unfired Decorations; metals that can be damaged during cleaning.