Ceramics are made for real life. Nevertheless, proper care determines whether plates, vases, or countertops still look as magnificent after years as they did on day one. At Formwerk Berlin , we see every day what works and what causes glazes to become dull over time.
This guide provides clear practical rules, quick home remedies, and an overview of the most important no-gos to keep your ceramics beautiful and save you stress.
Have fun! Your Formwerk Berlin Team
For those short on time: Ceramic is a very durable, but not unsinkable, material. To preserve the beauty of your ceramic tableware, vase, or countertop for a long time, gentle care is usually sufficient.
Regular cleaning with warm water and a mild (pH-neutral) dish soap, a soft cloth, and possibly a sponge is usually sufficient. Stubborn stains can be removed with home remedies such as baking soda or citric acid pastes.
Avoid harsh abrasives, coarse sponges, or hydrofluoric acid-based cleaners – they can damage glazes or surfaces. Well-fired clay (stoneware/porcelain) is generally waterproof and dishwasher-safe. Untreated terracotta, on the other hand, is porous and susceptible to frost; drainage holes, proper drainage, and winter storage are essential.
Use cutting boards and felt mats to prevent scratches. Food-safe ceramic adhesives are a good option for cracks or chips. The following article provides detailed practical tips, suitable home remedies, and recommended products.
General care instructions for ceramics
Ceramic (such as dishes, bowls, floors or worktops) is hygienic and mostly non-porous – dirt hardly accumulates on it. However, you should still handle your ceramic pieces with care: strong impacts and scratches can damage glazes or cause cracks. Stack dishes carefully and place felt or fabric pads between them to prevent scratches. .
Temperature protection: Avoid large temperature changes. Let hot dishes cool down before placing them in cold water. Never place extremely hot pots directly on unprotected ceramic surfaces without a trivet – concentrated heat can cause stress cracks. .
Scratch protection: Always use cutting boards for food, because although ceramic is abrasion-resistant, it can dull knives. Use trivets or pot holders under hot pots and dishes.
Daily cleaning: Wipe ceramic surfaces with warm water and use a little mild, pH-neutral dish soap if necessary. Then dry with a soft cloth. This applies to kitchen worktops as well as dishes or bathroom ceramics. You'll find good results with kitchen or glass cleaners (without abrasives) on greasy stains. Always rinse with clean water afterwards and dry thoroughly. .
Tip (Formwerk Berlin): Our high-fired stoneware ceramics are water and oil repellent. Therefore, mild cleaners (dish soap, glass cleaner) and a soft cloth are sufficient. .
Basic rules: Never use steel wool or harsh abrasives – they will cause micro-cracks in the glaze. Avoid chlorine- or fluorine-based cleaners and highly alkaline (pH > 8) products. Remove stains immediately to prevent them from burning on. .
Cleaning: Gently remove stains
The fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove: Wipe up spilled liquids (coffee, wine) immediately with a damp cloth. For dried-on or stubborn stains, home remedies and suitable cleaners can help. We have compiled an overview of typical stains and solutions:
Always thoroughly rinse all treated areas with clean water and rub dry. Always test new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first. For stoneware or porcelain, mild household cleaners are usually sufficient; stronger products are only necessary for very heavy soiling.
For stubborn stains on your ceramic plates, it's best to wear gloves. First, remove the dirt mechanically (e.g., with a wooden or plastic spatula), then treat it with a household remedy or cleaner. Work gently in circular motions, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Specific material comparison: Glazed, unglazed, stoneware, porcelain, terracotta
Source: Manufacturer's instructions and practical recommendations
This table shows typical characteristics: High-fired ceramics (stoneware, porcelain) are very robust and usually dishwasher and microwave safe. Highly flammable materials like untreated terracotta are absorbent and require special care (frost protection and sealing may be necessary). In all cases: gentle cleaning, quick drying, and protection against scratches.
Drying, storage and frost protection
Always dry thoroughly after cleaning: Let ceramics air dry or wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Avoid waterlogging in poorly ventilated closets, as condensation can promote mold growth.
Tip : Store terracotta planters in a dry, frost-free location during winter. Terracotta with a high calorific value (frost-resistant at ~1050–1100°C) can withstand frost because it is fired at a very high density. For low-fired earthenware (classic terracotta), experts recommend drainage: drainage holes and a layer of gravel or broken clay pots at the bottom prevent water from accumulating and the pot from cracking when frost sets in. .
Storage: Stack dishes only with protective layers (terry cloth or felt dividers). Avoid direct contact between ceramic pieces. Large platters or sculptures should be stored upright (like plates in a cupboard) and never dropped on hard surfaces. For seasonal storage at least: Store in a dry, frost-free place!
Repairing ceramics: cracks and chips
Even broken pieces can often be salvaged. Food-safe repair adhesives are available for broken plates, cups, or decorative items. . Proceed:
- Collect and clean broken glass: Rinse and thoroughly dry all fragments. Sort them before you glue.
- Choose adhesive: For dishes, food-safe epoxy or superglue is recommended (dishwasher and microwave safe). For larger chips (e.g., on a sink/washbasin), use filler or special paste. Important: For dishes that come into contact with food or are dishwasher safe, you must use special adhesives explicitly certified as 'food-safe'. If in doubt, use repaired items only as decoration.
- Glue the parts together: Apply a thin layer of adhesive to both sides (depending on the product, one or both sides). Carefully fit the fragments together and hold them in position. If necessary, secure them with masking tape or a rubber band until the adhesive sets. .
- Remove excess: After drying, remove excess glue with a sharp knife and file/sand the seam smooth. Then clean the glued area.
- Post-treatment: If necessary, you can touch up with specialized glaze paint or cover it up with filler to make it invisible.
Security: Wear gloves when making repairs (due to sharp edges!), and use adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions. Allow repaired drinking or eating utensils to cure for several days and test them before use.
Home remedies vs. professional cleaners
For everyday life, home remedies are often sufficient – and environmentally friendly. Baking soda (baking powder) gently removes stains . Vinegar/Citric acid dissolve limescale. dish soap It dissolves grease. Combinations (e.g., baking soda and vinegar) can fizz vigorously and loosen dirt. These remedies are non-toxic and inexpensive.
Professional products are particularly effective for solving stubborn problems: e.g., glass cleaners with alcohol (against grease/tarnish). Use limescale remover or antistatic film remover, or metal rust remover. Look for environmental labels and use the correct dosage – often a little goes a long way. Our shop recommendation: mild ceramic cleaners without ammonia or strong chlorine additives.
Environmental aspect: Many home remedies are biodegradable. Avoid solvents like acetone or highly concentrated acids whenever possible. If you do use them (for example, vinegar cleaner for stubborn limescale), Rinse immediately with plenty of water. This protects both yourself and the environment.
Formwerk Berlin: Practical tips
As the founder of a young pottery supply company, I recommend you invest in good tools (soft sponges, microfiber cloths, a ceramic hob scraper). Here in Formwerk Berlin We primarily use melamine stain erasers for stubborn stains and special kitchen cleaners with baking soda for everyday use. Our ceramic goods (stoneware plates, dishes, cups) are dishwasher safe, but we recommend hand washing for particularly delicate pieces.
Important: Each ceramic piece is unique – we always provide individual consultations to our customers. If you have any questions about your specific item, please feel free to ask us – we are intimately familiar with the maximum temperatures and glazes used in our products.
Have fun with your ceramic piece and don't be discouraged by a few cracks or stains. A little patina is part of its charm 🥰
Your Formwerk Berlin Team
FAQ (frequently asked questions about ceramic care)
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How do I remove stubborn stains from my ceramics?
Use simple home remedies: A paste made of baking soda and water helps against tea/coffee stains. For limescale or stains, letting diluted vinegar (vinegar cleaner) soak in often works wonders. A glass-ceramic cleaner is suitable for removing metal abrasion. Always rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards.
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Is ceramic dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe?
High-fired ceramics (stoneware, porcelain) are waterproof and often dishwasher and microwave safe. However, we recommend washing delicate handmade items by hand with lukewarm water. Unglazed terracotta or decorative ceramics can absorb water – it's best not to put such pieces in the dishwasher/microwave.
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Do I need a sealant (impregnator) for my ceramics?
No, commercially available ceramics (especially stoneware/porcelain) are already waterproof due to the high firing temperature. Glazed surfaces are sealed anyway. Unglazed earthenware (e.g., terracotta flowerpots) can be treated with special terracotta sealants if needed, but doesn't require daily treatment. Generally speaking, glazed dishes don't need any additional coating. .
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How do I protect my ceramics from frost in winter?
Ensure that no moisture remains in containers: For terracotta planters, store water (no water in the pot), keep drainage holes clear, and use drainage material. Frost-resistant ceramics (high-fired) can remain outdoors, but normal open earthenware should be stored in a frost-free location.
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What to do about small scratches or dull spots on the glaze?
A mild glass or polishing cleaner often helps. For fine scratches, a glass-ceramic emery strip (melamine rubber) can sometimes easily restore shine. To prevent scratches: Felt pads between stacked plates and soft cloths protect the glaze. .