Have you ever wanted to know how to keep your new pottery looking as fresh as it did when you first got it?
The key is realizing that pottery-whether it’s a fragile vase or a heavy outdoor pot-needs care. It isn’t just a piece that sits untouched; pottery reacts to its surroundings and will last much longer with regular, gentle attention.
If you handle, clean, and store your pottery the right way, you can keep it looking great and useful for years, making it a lasting part of your home or garden.
Pottery starts aging the moment it leaves the kiln. But that doesn’t mean it has to fall apart over time. With a little planning and regular easy-care steps, you can keep your pottery strong and attractive much longer.
This guide will give you important tips and steps to follow so your pottery stays beautiful and stands up to daily life.
Why Pottery Needs Proper Care to Last
Pottery, especially handmade items, mixes both art and usefulness. Each curve, glaze, and texture shows the potter’s skill.
Still, even the strongest pottery can get damaged over time without the right care. For example, pots used outside add shape and color to your yard, but how long they last depends on how well you take care of them all year long.
The life of your pottery really depends on how you treat it. It’s not just about avoiding breaks-it’s about honoring the maker’s vision and keeping the pottery attractive and useful. Every type, from thin porcelain cups to big stoneware urns, has its own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing what your pottery needs helps it stay in good shape.
What Makes Pottery Wear Out?
Many things can cause pottery to get damaged or break. This includes the type of clay used, the environment, and even how you handle it. For example, clay pottery is a bit porous and needs to keep the right moisture level. If it dries out too much or gets too wet, it might crack.
Other outside factors matter too. For instance, freezing weather can cause pots to crack. Hot sun can fade colorful glazes. Dropping pieces or stacking them in the wrong way is a common way to get chips or breaks.
Even small hairline cracks can grow worse if not taken care of, especially with changes in the weather.
How the Environment Changes Pottery
Where you keep your pottery affects how long it lasts and how good it looks. It’s not only about avoiding knocks and bumps. Natural things like sun, rain, and temperature changes can harm pottery over time, just as they change how you take care of plants in different seasons.
Think about where your pottery sits. Direct sunlight can fade the bright colors of some glazes. Too much moisture can cause mold or let water soak into unglazed pieces, which may then crack in cold weather. Paying attention to these things helps keep your pottery in top shape.
How Temperature and Moisture Wear on Pottery
Temperature and humidity can slowly damage your pottery without you noticing. Porous clay pots take in moisture and, if that water freezes, the expanding ice can split the pot.
High humidity can also lead to mold, especially on pottery that isn’t glazed. On the flip side, very dry air can sometimes make certain clay types brittle. Glazed pieces are usually better protected, but unglazed pottery can be much more sensitive to moisture changes.
Keeping your pottery in steady conditions helps protect it for the long term.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Placement: What to Watch Out For
Choosing to keep pottery indoors or outdoors brings different risks. Outdoor pieces face rain, sun, frost, and pests. To protect pottery outside, bring it indoors or cover it when the weather gets cold, especially before winter sets in.
Indoor pottery is safer from weather, but still faces dangers like heat from radiators or sudden cold next to windows. Outdoor pottery should be checked each season. In spring, clean off winter damage.
In summer, make sure planters drain well. In winter, use covers for pots staying outside to avoid snow and ice. Taking simple steps like these can make your garden pottery stay nice for many years.
Daily Habits to Keep Pottery Safe
Just like caring for anything special, pottery lasts longer if you make small, careful choices every day. You don’t need to do anything big-all it takes is treating your pottery gently and being aware of how you use it.
From lifting a mug to moving a plate, every touch matters. If you get into good habits, you’ll greatly lower the chance of accidents and keep your pottery looking nice.
Handling Pottery Safely
Most pottery breaks because of careless handling. Large pieces can be heavy, so it’s best to lift them with both hands, holding the base, not just the rim or handles, which are weaker. When moving pieces, make sure your way is clear so you don’t bump into anything.
If your pottery is delicate, you could use gloves to protect from fingerprints. Even a tiny chip makes pottery weaker, so handle each piece as if you can’t replace it.
How to Store Pottery Properly
Good storage is important, especially for pottery you don’t use all the time. Don’t stack mugs inside each other because this can damage the rims. Plates should stand up in a plate rack, spreading the weight evenly.
If you need to pack pottery for a move or for longer storage, wrap each item in newspaper, then put them into strong boxes with more soft padding in between pieces. Store delicate pieces on stable shelves or in cabinets with doors so they’re less likely to fall or be knocked.
How to Clean Pottery Without Harming It
Cleaning pottery the wrong way can scratch the glaze, dull the finish, or weaken the clay. Gentle cleaning keeps your pottery looking good and stops dirt from causing bigger problems later.
Use soft cleaners and avoid harsh chemicals. Regular cleaning will protect your collection’s look and strength for a long time.
Is Hand Washing or Dishwasher Better?
For most pottery, washing by hand is safer than using a dishwasher, especially for handmade or delicate items. Dishwashers can bump pieces together and chip or crack them.
If you care about a piece and would be upset if it broke, wash it by hand with a soft cloth or sponge and mild soap. Use a soft brush for clay pots and avoid anything harsh on the glaze. Rinse well and dry completely to avoid spots. Making a habit of gentle hand washing will help your pottery last.
Cleaning Products You Shouldn’t Use
Never use scouring pads, steel wool, or harsh powders on pottery-they scratch and dull the glaze. Bleach and strong chemicals also harm pottery, fading colors and weakening clay.
If you have stubborn stains, try a bit of diluted vinegar first in a hidden spot to make sure it doesn’t damage the finish. Stick to simple soaps and soft tools for most cleaning, and use products made for delicate surfaces only.
Best Ways to Store Pottery Long-Term
Good storage does more than keep your pottery safe from bumps-it also shields it from dust and big changes in temperature or humidity. Making a safe space for your collection, even if you only store pieces for a while, helps keep them looking new.
With the right storage, your pottery will look as good as when you put it away.
Best Storage Conditions
Keep your pottery somewhere with steady, cool temperature and average humidity. Don’t store it in places that get very hot or cold, like attics, basements, or garages. A dry, dark spot is usually the safest.
Store delicate pieces in closed cupboards or display cases. For expensive items, wrap in acid-free tissue or bubble wrap, but let air move freely to avoid moisture.
How to Stack and Display Pottery Correctly
Don’t stack handmade mugs-this damages the rims. Plates do best in racks that hold them upright. If you must stack plates, put something soft like felt or paper towels between them.
Display pottery with space around each piece, avoiding heavy items on top of lighter ones. When using pots outside, keep them off the ground with feet or stones to help them drain and avoid water damage. Also make sure your planter’s drainage holes stay clear.
Should You Maintain or Fix Pottery Regularly?
As pottery gets older, you might wonder whether you should just keep it clean or actually repair damaged spots. Keeping up with regular care helps prevent serious problems, but sometimes repairs are needed to save a favorite piece.
Look for damage often, especially on outdoor planters, so that little problems don’t become too big to fix.
How to Know When Pottery Needs Fixing
Check for chips, cracks, or faded glazes. Small cracks can get much worse if left alone. If you see any, fixing them quickly helps keep the piece from falling apart. Faded glazes might just need cleaning and a little polish, while bigger color problems could mean the piece needs a new glaze from a professional.
If a pot leaks or a cup isn’t safe to use anymore, it needs repair. Clay pots that soak up water are especially at risk and sometimes need expert help.
Easy Fixes for Small Damage
For small chips or cracks, you can do a simple repair yourself. Clean the pottery gently, let it dry, and use a special pottery glue to seal small cracks. After the glue dries (usually a day), sand it lightly for a smooth finish. For small surface scratches or dull spots, a bit of car wax can shine up glazed ceramics.
But bigger problems-big cracks, missing pieces, or serious wear-are best left to a repair specialist.
Common Pottery Care Mistakes
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes that damage pottery. These often happen because someone isn’t aware of their piece’s specific needs. Watching out for a few simple errors helps your pottery last longer.
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what helps.
Never Use Rough Cleaners or Tools
Scrubbing with rough pads or chemicals can scratch and dull your pottery, peeling off protective glazes, and making it easier for more damage to happen later. Always use gentle, non-abrasive cloths or sponges, and mild soaps. For tough stains, rub gently with a soft brush instead of trying something harsher.
Read and Follow Any Provided Instructions
Some pottery comes with special instructions from the maker. Pay attention to these, because ignoring them can make your pottery wear out faster. For example, some glazes contain metals that heat up too much in a microwave, so most handmade pottery shouldn’t be microwaved at all.
Some pottery says “hand wash only” for a reason. If there are no instructions, treat it gently and use the safest cleaning and storage methods.
Simple Checklist for Keeping Pottery at Its Best
Keeping your pottery looking new doesn’t have to be difficult-it’s mostly about regular gentle care. A bit of effort goes a long way in keeping your pieces beautiful and strong for years.
- Handle all pottery carefully, holding larger pieces with both hands from the base
- Store mugs and plates in a way that avoids pressure on their edges and rims
- Clean with mild soap and soft tools, and skip harsh chemicals or rough sponges
- Keep pottery out of direct sun and away from big changes in temperature
- Use simple repairs for small chips, but contact a professional for serious breaks
- Follow any specific care instructions from the maker
- Check your pottery often for damage, especially if it’s kept outside
Remember, every bit of care helps keep your pottery as beautiful as when it was made. With consistent, simple care, you can keep enjoying your collection for many years to come.
