Handmade stoneware is made to be used every day. With a little care, your piece will last for years.
Check your listing first
Every piece is a little different, so the care details on each product page always come first. They tell you whether that piece is dishwasher safe, microwave safe, or food safe.
Washing
- Hand washing is the gentlest choice and keeps glazes looking their best.
- Where a listing says dishwasher safe, use the top rack when possible.
- Many pieces have a raw, unglazed foot on the bottom. Hand washing helps keep that area clean and dry.
- Use a soft sponge rather than steel wool or harsh scrubbers.
Microwave and oven
- Only microwave pieces whose listing says microwave safe.
- Do not use any piece in the oven, on the stovetop, or under the broiler.
Avoid sudden temperature changes
Going straight from hot to cold can crack ceramics. Don't pour boiling water into a cold mug straight from the fridge, or put a hot dish into cold water. Let pieces come to room temperature first.
Food use
Mugs, bowls, plates and serving pieces are finished with food-safe glazes. Some decorative pieces, like certain vases, are not intended for food. The listing will say so.
Planters and vases
- Planters without a drainage hole work best as a cover pot, with a plastic nursery pot or liner inside.
- Empty and rinse vases regularly to keep them fresh.
Ring dishes and decorative pieces
Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth. Handle sculpted details, like turtle lids and octopus tentacles, with care.
About handmade variations
Small differences in shape, glaze, carving and speckling are part of handmade pottery. They are not defects. They're what make your piece yours.