Handcrafted ceramics are made to be used — but they also deserve a little care. Unlike mass-produced dinnerware, each piece in a collection like The Sanctum's Breath of Earth is shaped, glazed, and fired by hand. That means small variations in colour and surface are not flaws but signatures. It also means that the way you clean and store your ceramics matters more than you might think. In this guide, we'll cover everything from daily washing to removing stubborn stains, plus the small habits that will keep your handcrafted dinnerware looking beautiful for decades, not just years.
Why handcrafted ceramic deserves special care
Mass-produced ceramic plates are often coated with industrial-grade glazes designed to survive abuse. Handcrafted ceramic, by contrast, is fired to be food-safe and durable — but the glaze is thinner, the colours are more nuanced, and small imperfections in the surface mean stains can settle if left too long. The good news: handcrafted ceramic is genuinely easy to care for. You just need a few simple habits.
The daily clean: how to wash ceramic dishes
For everyday washing, warm water and a mild dish soap are all you need. Use a soft sponge or cloth — never steel wool or abrasive scrubbers, which can micro-scratch the glaze. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a soft towel. Letting ceramic air-dry is fine, but if you live somewhere with hard water, you'll see white mineral spots over time.
Is ceramic dishwasher safe?
Most modern handcrafted ceramics, including The Sanctum's, are technically dishwasher-safe — but we recommend hand-washing whenever possible. Dishwashers expose ceramics to high heat, harsh detergents, and constant vibration. Over years, this dulls the glaze, fades hand-painted designs, and increases the risk of chips. If you must use the dishwasher, use a gentle cycle, mild detergent, and avoid loading pieces too tightly.
How to remove tea, coffee, and turmeric stains
Stubborn stains are the most common ceramic problem. For tea and coffee rings inside cups, make a paste of baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply with a soft cloth, leave for ten minutes, then gently rub and rinse. For turmeric (a frequent offender in Indian kitchens), the trick is sunlight — let the stained piece sit in direct sun for a few hours after washing. The UV breaks down the pigment naturally.
Preventing chips and cracks
Most chips happen during washing, not during use. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of delicate pieces in the sink. When storing, place a small piece of felt or kitchen towel between stacked plates — this prevents the bases from scratching each other. Never put a cold ceramic dish directly into a hot oven, or vice versa: thermal shock is the fastest way to crack a piece.
Storing ceramic dinnerware
Keep ceramic in a cabinet where pieces aren't being knocked around. Store cups and mugs upright (not hanging by handles, which puts stress on a vulnerable point). For special-occasion dinnerware that doesn't see daily use, a small silica gel sachet in the cabinet helps prevent moisture from settling.
Microwave and oven use
Most plain handcrafted ceramic is microwave-safe. The exceptions are pieces with metallic accents (gold or silver trim) and certain hand-painted designs where pigments can react. When in doubt, read the care label. For oven use, never put a cold ceramic dish into a preheated oven — let it come up to temperature gradually.
When a piece does break
Even with the best care, accidents happen. For ceramics with sentimental or aesthetic value, look into kintsugi — the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold-dusted lacquer. It transforms a break into a feature. For everyday pieces, food-safe ceramic adhesives are available at most hardware stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put ceramic dishes in the dishwasher?
Most handcrafted ceramic is dishwasher-safe but hand-washing is gentler and helps preserve the glaze and hand-painted details over years of use.
How do I remove brown coffee stains from ceramic mugs?
Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it inside the mug, leave for 10 minutes, then gently rub and rinse. For tougher stains, try one teaspoon of bleach diluted in a cup of water for 30 minutes.
Why are some ceramic plates not microwave-safe?
Pieces with metallic accents (gold, silver, copper trim) cannot go in the microwave as the metal reflects microwave energy and can cause sparking or damage. Plain glazed ceramic is generally microwave-safe.
How can I tell if my ceramic is food-safe?
Reputable handcrafted ceramic brands like The Sanctum confirm food-safe glazes on product pages. Avoid vintage or unmarked pieces for serving food, as older glazes occasionally contain lead.
What's the best way to store ceramic plates?
Place a felt pad or soft cloth between stacked plates to prevent scratching. Store in a stable cabinet where they won't be jostled.
The Sanctum's handcrafted ceramics from the Breath of Earth collection are made to be used daily — and to last. Each piece is shaped, glazed, and fired by hand by Indian artisans, then quality-checked to be fully food-safe. Explore the collection and start building a set that gets better with every meal.
