Pottery Aftercare

Hello lovely customers,

I know “Pottery Aftercare” isn’t the flashiest title, but it does tell you exactly what you need to know — and this information really is important if you want your handcrafted pieces to last a lifetime.

You’ve spent time creating something personal and meaningful. It’s been glazed, fired, and lovingly finished in my kiln here at Little Prints Scotland.

You’ve collected it, admired it, and taken it home.

So that’s the end of the journey, right?

Not quite!

To keep your pottery — especially those precious baby handprints and footprints — looking gorgeous for years (and generations!) to come, there are a few things you need to know.

Please Don’t Put Your Pottery in the Dishwasher

Your supermarket mugs often have tiny symbols on the bottom telling you they’re dishwasher safe.Your hand-painted pottery, however, doesn’t — and for good reason.

Dishwashers reach very high temperatures. Over time, this can cause the glaze to crack. Once that happens, water can seep through to the clay body beneath, making the piece weaker. Dishwasher tablets are also abrasive and can dull the finish.

Do I sometimes put my own mugs in the dishwasher? Yes — but only because I own a studio and can paint myself a new one any time!

But if you’ve paid for a personalised keepsake, or created something meaningful with your little ones’ prints, a quick handwash is all it needs to stay beautiful.

Microwaves: Also a No

I don’t recommend putting hand-painted pottery in the microwave.

The clay is slightly porous, which means it can soak up tiny amounts of moisture over time. When you heat it in the microwave, the food or drink warms up… but the mug or bowl itself can overheat and even become hot enough to burn your mouth or hands.

You’ve probably noticed that some crockery heats unevenly — now you know why!

To stay safe (and keep your pottery safe), avoid microwaving it.

Baubles & Christmas Ornaments

These little beauties need extra care.

The glaze on rounded pieces like baubles is thin and can be sensitive to thermal shock — that’s when an item goes from hot to cold (or cold to hot) too quickly. This can cause fine lines, known as crazing, to appear in the glaze.

If you normally keep your decorations in the shed or attic, be aware that the changing temperatures throughout the year can cause crazing.

My advice:Keep your plastic or mass-produced decorations in the loft, but store your ceramic ones somewhere more temperature-stable. Wrap them well, and pack them gently — even a small knock can cause the glaze to crack.

Crazing can happen to a £5 piece or a £500 piece, after 3 days or 30 years… or never. With proper care, yours are much more likely to last forever.

Outdoor Items

If you choose to display pottery in the garden or at a graveside, please be mindful of frost and freezing temperatures.

A severe temperature drop can make the glaze crack. The piece itself may stay intact, but once the glaze is compromised, moisture can eventually seep in and weaken it.

If possible, bring these pieces indoors during harsh winter weather.

A Final Thought

Some pottery seems indestructible. Some doesn’t. You’ll always hear stories from people who use their handmade pieces in dishwashers and microwaves with no issues.

That’s great for them — but your pottery is precious to you. So it’s worth giving it the gentlest care you can.

My recommendation as the owner of Little Prints Scotland is to follow everything above so your keepsakes stay perfect for as long as possible.

If you ever want more advice, just ask when you’re in the studio — I’m always happy to help.