Download Article

Download Commodity

The best mode to go along pottery clean is prevention, and then keep your pottery in a closed cabinet or armoire to lessen dust exposure. Make sure y'all wear vinyl gloves or have clean easily when handling pottery. Try dry cleaning methods before moving on to using liquid. Wet cleaning should exist a concluding resort, as in some cases it can brand the problem worse. Consult with a professional starting time if your item is highly valuable to you lot.

  1. one

    Wipe off grit with a dry cloth. Use a clean, lint-gratis dusting fabric. Rub it gently and carefully along the surface of the object. Move to an unsoiled area of the cloth when the textile gets muddied.[1]

    • Endeavor a cotton wool material, or a cloth from nylon fibers made specifically for wiping abroad grit.

  2. 2

    Employ suction. Place your object on a padded surface. Hold the nozzle of a vacuum most an inch abroad from the pottery. Use suction as you brush the object's surface with a soft paintbrush.[2]

    • If possible, apply a vacuum cleaner that has a loftier-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) and modifiable suction. Use less suction for tiny or very delicate items.

    Advertisement

  3. 3

    Employ forced air. Use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting. Rub a soft, lint-gratuitous material or a soft brush over your pottery as you accident information technology with air. Try a can of compressed air to get into crevices.

    Advertisement

  1. 1

    Spot treat with booze. Wet a cotton cloth with rubbing booze. Alternately, dip the cloth in a solution of ten parts denatured booze, eight parts h2o (distilled or deionized) and one office non-detergent household ammonia. Wipe the wet textile over stains, grease or dirt build-upwards.[three]

    • Perform this step on stubborn stains before proceeding to soak the particular in soap and water.
    • Ammonia can cause a chemical reaction to surfaces with unstable glazing. If in doubt, don't employ ammonia.
    • Make certain to wear gloves!

  2. 2

    Remove adhesive marks. Dampen a cloth with acetone, De-Solv-it spray, or Goo Gone. Rub the moistened cloth on whatever areas with glue or sticker marks. Follow this up by buffing with a soft cloth.[four]

    • Brand certain to wear gloves.
    • Don't try this technique on whatsoever areas where your pottery has been repaired.

  3. 3

    Care for silvery marks. Put a bit of metal polish, such equally Noxon, on a rag. Rub the moistened rag on the markings. Use significant pressure equally you lot rub. Vitrify the pottery clean with a dry role of the rag.[5]

    • Alternately, try using "Barkeeper's Friend" with warm h2o and a sponge, or employ a pencil eraser.

  4. 4

    Clean mineral deposits. Soak your pottery in white vinegar for at least a day or two. Rub the mineral buildup daily using a butter knife to gently break upwards buildup. Launder the pottery with lather and warm water once you lot've achieved clean pottery. Soak the pottery in tap water to get rid of the vinegar odor.[vi]

    • Try this for lime, calcium or rust stains.

  5. 5

    Treat darkened crazing. Wet clean rags with forty% hydrogen peroxide. Wrap your pottery with the rags. Identify the wrapped pottery in a sealed purse. Re-soak the rags every few days.[vii]

    • The procedure is complete when the crazing has lightened to your satisfaction.

    Advertising

  1. one

    Examine the pottery closely. Hold a magnifying glass up to your pottery in natural daylight. Look for cracks, peeling glaze, and prior repairs. Don't apply a wet cleaning method if your pottery has any of these issues.[8] Avoid wet cleaning if your pottery is hand painted.[nine]

    • Painted pottery may accept been sealed with a spray glaze which is not tough similar kiln-fired glazes.

  2. two

    Seal upwardly any air holes. Plug the air hole in the lesser of a figurine, if applicable. Use a piece of record if the object is unglazed. Otherwise, use a plastic bag or other waterproof object. Make certain that the ventilation pigsty is completely blocked off.

    • When you soak a figurine with air holes, you want to avoid getting h2o inside of the figurine. This tin result in long-term structural damage to some ceramics.

  3. iii

    Soak the pottery in lather and water. Line a sink or large container with at least one thick bath towel. Fill your container with warm h2o and add balmy dishwashing detergent. Submerge your pottery for simply a few seconds. Make clean any trouble areas with a soft washcloth or a soft brush.[x]

    • Putting bath towels down tin prevent your pottery from groovy if yous accidentally drop it when your hands are soapy.

    Advert

Enquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your electronic mail address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertizement

  • Don't clean pottery with any products containing chlorine bleach.

  • Don't put porcelain figurines in the dishwasher.

  • Follow all safety precautions on the product label of whatever liquid you utilise to clean your pottery.

Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Natasha Dikareva, MFA. Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor. Skilful Interview. 1 June 2021.

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 24,253 times.

Did this commodity help you?