How to Care for Handmade Stoneware

Handmade stoneware is more durable than most people expect. A few simple habits will keep it looking right for years.

Washing

The question that comes up most often about handmade pottery is whether it's dishwasher safe. For well-fired stoneware — clay that has been taken to high temperature and fully vitrified — the answer is generally yes. The clay body itself is dense and non-porous, and won't absorb water or degrade with regular machine washing.

That said, hand washing is kinder to the glaze surface over time. Dishwasher detergents are abrasive, and repeated cycles will gradually dull a glaze that would otherwise stay clear and alive for decades. If you use a piece daily and the dishwasher is part of your routine, it won't come to harm — but if you're washing a piece you care about keeping in good condition, warm water and a soft cloth is the better habit.

Storage

Most damage to handmade ceramics happens in the cupboard, not in use. Stacking bowls or plates directly on top of each other without any protection between them is the single most common cause of rim chips — the weight of the stack, combined with any small movement, is enough to nick the edge of a piece.

A simple fix: a square of felt, a folded piece of cloth, or even a paper towel between stacked pieces. It takes seconds and makes a real difference. Cork trivets or shelf liners work well if you're storing a collection.

Most damage to handmade ceramics happens in the cupboard, not in use.

Rims are the most vulnerable point on any thrown piece. When stacking, pay attention to whether the rim of one piece is resting on the base of another — ideally, you want base on base or a cushioned surface between them. Mugs are best stored right-side up rather than hanging from hooks, which puts stress on the handle over time.

Everyday use

Stoneware is made to be used. It handles hot drinks, hot food, and cold food without issue. The density of the clay body means it holds temperature well.

If a piece has any gold or silver lustre decoration, keep it out of the microwave. For Studio Ekta pieces — finished in iron oxide and cobalt washes under satin and semi-matte glazes — microwave use is fine.

If something chips

It happens. A chip on the rim of a bowl, a small nick on a handle. With handmade stoneware, a chip doesn't necessarily mean the end of a piece.

The Japanese practice of kintsugi — filling cracks with gold — speaks to something true about handmade objects. A chip is part of the history of a piece. It doesn't erase what the object is.

Made to be used

Studio Ekta pieces are made from stoneware fired to 1260–1280°C. Each piece is food safe and built to be used — not kept. If you'd like to know when new work is ready, I send occasional notes from the studio.

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