Maintaining Ceramic Pottery

by Maren Mikaelsen

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. 

Some of the most popular types of ceramics include:

  • Earthenware – Ceramics that are fired at a fairly low temperature.
  • Stoneware – Fired at a much higher temperature, with a strong, non-porous body.
  • Porcelain – This includes all ceramics with a white body and fired at high temperature.
  • Hard-Paste – Known as true porcelain, is strong and hard with a glass appearance.
  • Soft-Paste – These are made in Europe and are an imitation of East Asian porcelain with a soft body and slightly porous.
  • Bone China – Bone China was developed in the 18th century and is still produced today. Consists of a high proportion of bone ash with China clay.

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.

The Equipment

Avoid putting ceramics in a dishwasher as the temperature and pressure of the water can permanent damage enamel and glazes. Household bleaches and proprietary cleaning products should also be avoided as they can cause irreversible damage. It’s best to purchase the necessary cleaning products for an individual type of ceramic. Some may only require water and a cloth, while others require specialised brushes and cleaning solutions designed not to cause any damage. Remember to always allow the ceramics to dry properly while you enjoy some time playing Canadian slots online.

Storage

For the most part, ceramics are able to withstand a wide range of temperatures without taking any damage. This means that most ceramics can easily be stored in cabinets and on tables. The most common cause of damage to a ceramic is impact damage, which is sustained from falling a certain distance or being improperly handled. Keeping ceramics away from a part of the house that is close to a street is a good idea, as the vibrations from passing traffic can cause the piece to fall from its stand. Pieces should always be given a little bit of room between each, and having too many in one place increases the likelihood of them becoming damaged through sheer contact. Mounting waxes are a good method of keeping ceramics in place and avoiding potential damage.