How To Preserve Ceramics at Their Best State Over Time?

Ceramics have long become a familiar item in every family, favored for their luxurious beauty, sophistication and high durability. However, to keep these items as beautiful and durable as new, we need tips on how to properly preserve and clean ceramics. In this article, Chus will share with you good tips and some common mistakes when preserving ceramics in the family!

Common mistakes that can effect ceramics' state 

Improper cleaning of ceramics

Cleaning ceramics seems simple, but if not done properly, you can easily damage your favorite items. Vigorous scrubbing or using cleaning tools such as metal wool can scratch the enamel. Instead, you can use a soft cloth soaked in diluted dishwashing solution to gently wipe the ceramic surface.

Placing ceramics at places at high temperature

High-end or handmade ceramics, even if fired at high temperatures, are still fragile materials and can be damaged by sudden changes in temperature. Sudden changes in temperature cause the ceramic components to expand unevenly, leading to cracking, cracking or even complete breakage. The enamel coating on the ceramic surface also expands differently than the ceramic body. The risk of cracking is greater when ceramics have high humidity or the production process does not ensure quality.

Using strong cleansing chemicals

Using the wrong detergent is a common mistake that can have serious consequences when cleaning ceramics. Strong detergents can erode the glossy glaze, causing ceramics to lose their original beauty and become more susceptible to cracking. Furthermore, toxic chemicals in some detergents can affect health, especially when used to clean ceramic rice bowls.

Placing ceramics at places with high humidity

Ceramic wares are popular for their luxurious beauty and high durability. However, few people know that placing ceramics in places with high humidity can lead to the risk of mold formation, affecting both aesthetics and quality. High humidity is the ideal environment for mold growth on ceramics. Mold often appears as black, blue or gray spots on the surface of ceramics.

Ceramics are often exposed to sunlight

Sunlight includes UV rays that have the ability to break down the molecular structure of pigments in ceramic glazes and gradually fade over time. Besides, the temperature source from sunlight is also very high, which can cause ceramic glaze to crack, allowing UV rays to penetrate and destroy ceramic glaze color more easily.

Do not store ceramics in boxes

Normally, we will not store ceramics in boxes or bags when not in use because we think they are decorative items. However, if you do not have time to periodically scrub and clean ceramics, the best way is to store them in a box or bag to avoid dust, scratches, and damage if the air humidity is high. You should use a box or bag of the appropriate size for each item, lined with soft paper to limit collisions and scratches on the ceramic glaze.

Place ceramics in the same location as chemicals

Chemicals are strong detergents that can react with components in ceramic enamel, leading to corrosion and destruction of the enamel structure. The ceramic glaze layer plays a role in protecting the terracotta body inside. Therefore, when the enamel layer corrodes, the terracotta part will become sensitive to moisture and be more easily damaged.

Besides, if you place chemicals near handmade ceramic products such as bowls, cups, and plates, it can also affect your health. Some chemicals, when in contact with ceramics, can create toxic chemical reactions, affecting the quality of food or beverages stored in ceramics.

Use the microwave

Although ceramics are fired at high temperatures, they are not recommended for use in the microwave. Microwave ovens operate on the principle of microwaves to heat food. However, some types of ceramics are not designed to withstand the high temperatures and strong vibrations of microwaves. When using these types of ceramics in a microwave at the wrong temperature, they can crack or even explode, posing a danger to the user.

How to preserve ceramics properly

Ceramics with their delicate and luxurious beauty are always the top choice for home decoration. However, to keep these items as beautiful and durable as new, Chus sends you some small notes on how to clean ceramic items properly.

• Instead of using harsh detergents, use a soft damp cloth and mild detergent solution to clean the ceramic surface. Avoid using tools that can scratch the enamel.
• Wash ceramics immediately after use, especially when storing food or drinks.
• Let ceramic items dry completely after cleaning. Avoid storing while still damp because this will create an environment for mold to grow.
• Ceramics need to be stored in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and high humidity.
• High-quality, handmade ceramics should not be cleaned in the dishwasher. Because strong spray force and high temperature can cause decorative patterns on ceramics to fade and peel, affecting the aesthetics of the product.
• When cleaning ceramics in pots, put a rubber sheet on the bottom to avoid strong impacts and minimize the risk of the ceramics breaking or cracking.

Conclusion

Above are some sharings revolving around the topic of how to preserve and clean beautiful ceramics over time right at home. Hopefully this article has provided you with more useful information as well as given you a more multi-dimensional perspective on ceramics. Currently, at CHUS there are many choices of high-quality Vietnamese ceramics from reputable and quality brands on the market. You can refer to and choose to buy directly on CHUS!