ceramic care 101: keeping your handmade pieces looking new 🏺
Okay so i feel like nobody talks about this enough — handmade ceramics aren't the same as regular plates and if you're treating them the same way, they're probably suffering in silence.
Nothing dramatic. just a few small things that make a genuinely big difference.
Skip the dishwasher (seriously)
I know it's tempting. but the heat, the pressure, the detergent — it slowly dulls the glaze and you won't notice until it's already happened. your ceramic bowls and dinner plates just need warm water and a soft sponge. that's it. if something's stuck, soak it — don't scrub.
Let them dry before you stack them
Wet ceramics stacked on top of each other = trapped moisture = tiny cracks forming in the glaze over time. just leave them to air dry or give them a quick wipe. thirty extra seconds, genuinely worth it.
Get some felt separators
This is the one most people don't know about. every time you stack your bowls or plates, the base of one is slowly scratching the glaze of another. thin felt pads between pieces completely stop this. they cost almost nothing and they'll save your ceramics.
Temperature shock is a real thing
Cold bowl + piping hot food straight from the stove can actually crack the piece. just let it come to room temperature first — or warm the bowl slightly. everyday use is completely fine, just don't go from one extreme to the other.
For stains: baking soda is your best friend
Make a paste with warm water, leave it on the stain for 15–20 mins, rinse. works on coffee, tea, turmeric, most things. stubborn stain? a little white vinegar on a cloth. just please don't use bleach — it strips handmade glazes and you can't undo it.
Placemats and trivets pull more weight than you'd think
Rough table surfaces scratch the base of your dinner plates. hot ceramics sitting on cold stone can cause stress cracks. a good trivet or placemat in the right spot fixes both. small habit, long-lasting pieces.
That's genuinely all there is to it. handmade ceramics just want to be treated with the same care you picked them with — a little gentle, a little intentional. do that and they'll look beautiful for years. ✨
Shop ceramic tableware, bowls and serveware at ellementry.