How to Care for Ceramic Dishes: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Handmade Tableware Beautiful

The dinner plates are cleared, but a light film of olive oil clings to your favorite ceramic bowl. What happens next determines whether that piece will age gracefully or develop the dull, scratched appearance that mars so many well-loved dishes.

Timing matters more than technique. Rinse your ceramic pieces promptly after use; dried-on food residue can become stubborn and require aggressive scrubbing that can damage delicate glazes. Simple warm water, gentle dish soap, and a soft cloth handle most cleaning tasks.

Hand washing remains the gentlest path. Fill your sink with warm (not hot) water and add a mild, pH-neutral dish soap. Soft sponges or microfiber cloths protect the surface, while steel wool and abrasive powders create microscopic scratches that trap stains and dull the finish.

Here's where many people stumble: temperature shock. That ceramic dish straight from the oven? Let it cool completely before washing. Plunging hot ceramics into cool water can crack even the finest glazes—a heartbreaking way to lose a cherished piece.

For stubborn stains, nature provides the best solutions:

- Coffee and tea rings: Create a paste with baking soda and water. Apply gently, wait 15-20 minutes, then scrub with a soft cloth

- Mineral deposits: Soak in a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts warm water for up to an hour

These natural methods dissolve buildup without the harsh chemicals that can gradually weaken ceramic glazes.

Resist the temptation to let pieces soak indefinitely. Exposure to water for more than 30 minutes can actually weaken the glaze structure. After washing, air-drying works beautifully, or use soft microfiber towels rather than rough kitchen cloths, which can scratch.

Think of cleaning as a brief meditation, a moment to appreciate the weight and texture of pieces that connect your table to centuries of ceramic craft.

Modern kitchens offer tempting convenience—microwave heating, dishwasher efficiency, oven versatility. Yet ceramic dishes whisper a different rhythm, one that requires understanding rather than assumption. The question isn't whether your ceramics can handle these appliances, but how to use them wisely.

Check the bottom of your ceramic pieces before that first reheat. Most quality ceramics display a microwave-safe symbol—typically a square containing dishes or three wavy lines. Do not expect to find those signs on handcrafted Japanese ceramics, though. A good rule of thumb is not to use the microwave to preserve both the ceramic and the integrity of the glaze.

But symbols tell only part of the story: Never microwave ceramics decorated with metallic accents, gold leaf, or platinum trim. Metal sparks in microwaves, and replacing a damaged piece hurts more than waiting for stovetop reheating.

Heat distribution matters. Stir food halfway through heating to prevent hot spots that could shock your ceramic with uneven temperatures. When the timer chimes, resist the urge to place that hot dish directly on a cold countertop or into the refrigerator. Use a trivet or wooden cutting board—your ceramics and surfaces both deserve protection.

Ceramic dishes transition beautifully from refrigerator to oven, but only with patience. Allow cold pieces to reach room temperature before placing them in preheated ovens. This gentle warming prevents thermal shock, which can crack even well-made pieces.

Most ceramic tableware handles oven temperatures up to 450°F/230°C with ease—after all, these pieces were fired at much higher temperatures during creation. Position the dishes in the center of the oven, leaving space around them for proper air circulation.

Some heat sources remain off-limits for ceramic tableware. Stovetops, grills, broilers, and direct flames pose immediate danger. These concentrated heat sources can crack ceramics instantly, turning cherished pieces into sharp fragments.

When removing hot ceramics from any appliance, let them cool gradually before washing. Sudden temperature changes—whether from heating or cooling—remain ceramic's greatest enemy.

Your appliances can work harmoniously with ceramic care. The key lies in understanding their limits and honoring the gentle nature of handmade pieces.

Proper storage reflects the same mindfulness that created your pieces. Each ceramic dish carries the potter's intention—from the selection of clay to the final firing. How you store and handle these pieces determines whether they'll grace your table for decades or develop chips that compromise their beauty.

Stack plates with intention. Six to eight pieces maximum, with soft padding like felt separators, cloth napkins, or paper towels between each layer. Even the smoothest glaze can scratch surfaces beneath it, making protective barriers essential. Plate racks offer elegant alternatives, storing pieces vertically while reducing surface contact and enabling easy retrieval without disturbing carefully stacked pieces.

Your storage environment matters deeply. Cool, dry cabinets away from heat sources like ovens or ranges provide ideal conditions. Humid climates require extra attention—silica gel packets inside cabinets absorb excess moisture that could lead to mold or glaze deterioration. Open cabinet doors periodically to encourage air circulation rather than trapping damp air around your treasured pieces.

Handle ceramics with both hands, supporting the base and sides rather than lifting by handles or delicate rims. Never drag pieces across bare shelves—this creates micro-chips and edge abrasion that accumulate over time.

Metal utensils leave marks on ceramic surfaces. Choose wooden, plastic, or silicone utensils to prevent this damage. When chips do occur, small ones can be repaired with food-safe epoxy adhesive. The Japanese art of kintsugi (金継ぎ) teaches us to highlight repairs with gold powder, transforming damage into beautiful features. However, deep cracks that compromise structural integrity warrant the piece's retirement from food use for safety reasons.

This approach to care honors both the craftsperson's skill and your daily ritual of using beautiful, functional art.

Ceramic care isn't just maintenance—it's a practice that honors the hands that shaped your dishes and the traditions they represent. Each gentle cleaning, each careful placement in the cabinet, each moment you pause to check the temperature becomes part of an ongoing conversation with craftsmanship.

Your handmade tableware thrives on consistency rather than perfection. Hand washing with soft materials, respecting temperature changes, and thoughtful storage create the foundation for lasting beauty. These aren't burdensome rules but rhythms that protect what matters.

The plates that grace your table tonight can grace your grandchildren's tables tomorrow. When you treat ceramic pieces with understanding—acknowledging their strength and honoring their sensitivity—they reward you with decades of service and beauty.

For matcha bowls, we recommend reading our article on the best cleaning practices to keep chawan clean and long-lasting.

Start with one piece. Notice how it feels in your hands, how the glaze catches light, how proper care makes each meal feel more intentional. Your cherished dishes are waiting for the respect they deserve.