Care & Use Guidance
For pottery usage only, Since pottery is absorbent, during the daily usage, liquids such oils, sauces and drinks especially tea/coffee, will soak in and hard to be washed off; Over time, the color of the whole pottery vessel or partially may get darker or varied.
To prevent this, before your first time using it, we recommend to soak any new potteries in clean water for around 30 mins to an hour. Then dry it out throughly in open air, it may take 2-3 days for before it is dried inside out. This step can also be applied to potteries that haven't been used for a while.
However, as they say, pottery is something enjoys "changes" and grows, so we could just appreciate the vessels with joyful mood just like how we should treat our life.
Proper care can help prolong the lifespan and maintain the beauty of ceramics. This article will share some care guidances for both ceramic types of pottery and porcelain respectively.
Let's start with some tips for taking care of pottery:
- Handwashing: Pottery is best washed by hand using mild dish soap and warm water. Avoid using harsh abrasives or soaking for extended periods, as this can damage the surface or lead to color changes.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Sudden temperature changes can cause pottery to crack or break. Avoid subjecting pottery to rapid shifts between hot and cold environments.
- Store properly: when not in use, store pottery in a clean and dry location. Use soft padding or separators to prevent them from scratches and chips during storage.
- Avoid direct heat: Pottery should not be placed directly on stovetops, in ovens, or exposed to open flames, as it may not withstand high temperatures.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Harsh chemicals, bleach, or abrasive cleaning agents should be avoided, as they can damage the pottery's surface and glaze.
- Pre-use care (optional): Pottery has absorbent qualities that can cause liquids to soak in and lead to color slightly changes over time. To prevent this, it is recommended to soak new pottery in clean water for 30 mins to 1 hours before use and allow it to air dry thoroughly.
Porcelain, another type of ceramic known for its delicate and translucent qualities:
- Handwashing: Wash porcelain items by hand using mild dish soap and warm water. Avoid abrasive sponges or brushes that could scratch the surface and damage the glaze.
- Handle with care: Porcelain is fragile, so handle it with gentle hands. Avoid dropping or knocking porcelain against hard surfaces, as it can lead to chipping or breakage.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Rapid temperature changes can cause porcelain to crack. Avoid placing hot porcelain directly in cold water or exposing it to extreme heat or cold.
- Display away from direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading or discoloration of porcelain. Display your porcelain items in areas where they are protected from direct sunlight.
- Cleaning delicate areas: Porcelain often has intricate details or delicate areas. Use a soft brush or cotton swab to clean hard-to-reach places gently.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Harsh cleaning agents or bleach can damage the glaze and finish of porcelain. Stick to mild cleaning solutions and avoid abrasive materials.
- Store carefully: When storing porcelain, use soft padding or individual wrapping to prevent items from knocking against each other. Choose a dry and stable location to avoid accidental breakage.
Remember, each piece of pottery or porcelain may have specific care instructions, so it's always a good idea to consult any care guidelines provided or contact the Chimee team for more detail information.
However, all Chimee vessels are good to use and enjoy on its own. We also love to embrace the changes and growth of pottery/ceramic, treating it with a joyful mind like how we should approach life.
