Ceramic Care Guide: Cleaning, Storing, and Using Handmade Pieces

TL;DR

Ceramic Care Guide covers Khmer ceramics — wood-fired, unglazed or minimally glazed pottery that traces back roughly a thousand years to the Angkorian period. Authentic handmade pieces from a Kampong Chhnang workshop typically sell for $40–$200. ARUNERA's Ceramic collection sources from three named partner workshops in Kampong Chhnang and lists the maker on every product page.

A practical reference for keeping handmade Khmer ceramics in good condition over the long term.

Handmade ceramics generally reward a bit more care attention than mass-produced dinnerware, both to preserve their finish and because each piece, given natural handmade variation, is genuinely irreplaceable in its exact form.

Cleaning

Hand-washing with mild soap and a soft sponge is generally recommended over harsh abrasive scrubbers or highly acidic cleaning products, which can gradually dull glaze finish over repeated use, particularly for pieces with hand-applied decorative glazing.

Dishwasher Use

While many well-fired stoneware pieces can tolerate occasional dishwasher use, hand-washing is generally safer for preserving glaze finish and any delicate decorative details over the long term — check with the specific seller if dishwasher safety matters for your intended regular use.

Avoiding Thermal Shock

Sudden extreme temperature changes — moving a piece directly from the freezer to a hot oven, for instance — can cause cracking even in well-fired stoneware. Allowing pieces to adjust gradually to temperature changes helps prevent this kind of damage.

Storage

Store ceramic pieces with adequate padding between stacked items to prevent chipping, and avoid extremely tight stacking that puts uneven pressure on glazed surfaces, particularly for pieces with raised decorative elements.

Handling Chips or Cracks

Minor chips generally don't affect a piece's usability for decorative purposes, though chipped or cracked pieces should generally be retired from food use, since damaged glaze can create spots where bacteria might accumulate and where the underlying clay body may become exposed and porous.

Long-Term Display Considerations

For decorative pieces kept on display rather than regular use, occasional gentle dusting and avoiding prolonged direct sunlight (which can very gradually affect some glaze tones over years) helps maintain a piece's appearance over time.

Why Extra Care Is Worth It

Given that each handmade piece represents genuine skilled labor and, due to natural variation, can't be perfectly replaced if damaged, a bit of extra care attention meaningfully extends the useful life and appearance of these pieces compared to treating them like easily replaceable mass-produced dinnerware.

FAQ

Is it safe to use metal utensils on Khmer ceramic tableware?

Generally yes for well-glazed stoneware, though very sharp or aggressive scraping can gradually wear glaze finish over extended heavy use.

How should I clean a piece with visible glaze crackling (a fine web-like pattern)?

This is often an intentional decorative glaze effect rather than damage; gentle hand-washing is still recommended, avoiding prolonged soaking which could allow moisture to penetrate fine surface cracks over time.

Can damaged ceramic pieces be repaired?

Minor chips can sometimes be professionally repaired for display purposes, though repaired pieces generally shouldn't return to food-contact use.

Sources & Citations

• 1,000-year ceramic history — Cambodian Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts
• Kampong Chhnang kiln families — ARUNERA partner records (3 workshops)
• Glaze/motif references — National Museum of Cambodia collection, public catalog

Related Reading

• Is Khmer Ceramic Tableware Food-Safe?
• Ceramic Dinnerware: A Guide to Everyday Use
• Care Guide for Handmade Cambodian Products

Care instructions included with every ARUNERA ceramic piece: [arunera.com](https://arunera.com)

ARUNERA JournalThis piece is part of ARUNERA's guide to Cambodian craft, handmade gifts and useful objects shaped by local materials, makers and traditions.Keep exploring the materials, makers and practical uses behind Cambodian craft.Explore Cambodian craft guides →