Item Care
Porcelain Care
Unglazed porcelain surfaces, such as the matte white areas on our Sip, Slurp and Plates, are sometimes susceptible to light stains, unlike glazed porcelain. Frequent washing can help remove and prevent staining. We suggest hand washing, however, our cups can be placed in the dishwasher for the removal of stubborn stains on a mild / low heat setting. You can also place the item in a bowl of warm water with a detergent tab. Very stubborn stains and spots can sometimes be removed with diluted chlorine and lime remover.
Dark lines in the glaze (usually caused by silverware) can be removed with vienna lime chalk powder or by scrubbing with a sponge, dish soap and baking soda. Grease stains on matte glaze can be removed with baking soda and water.
If greasy fingerprints appear, rub the exposed porcelain with food safe oils, let sit, then clean with soap and water.
We suggest that you let boiling water sit for a moment before pouring it into our cups. Pouring boiling water directly into a cool cup may cause the glaze to crack.
Earthenware Care
Almost all of our Ghosts and Pen Holders (and some of our Lava People) are made of earthenware. Earthenware items are not hi-fired, meaning they remain porous and are not water safe. Earthenware items are not meant to be used as vases or for food consumption.
Placing water in an earthenware item could cause it to crack and/or mold.
To clean an earthenware item simply wipe it with a dry cloth. Using water, oil or a wet cloth could discolor the clay.
What's that pinging sound?
Many of our low-fired items are decorated with a beautiful transparent glaze. As the piece is low-fired, the item/glaze can sometimes still react to temperature changes in a room. This reaction may cause a "ping" or a "ding" sound, which is the result of a tiny hairline crack forming in the glaze.
These hairline cracks are completely normal and can resemble the tiny crackle patterns in old Japanese ceramic pieces over time. The cracks are only in the glaze (not in the actual item) and are usually not visible unless you look very closely. The cracks will not affect the lifespan of the product and glaze will not fall off.
To prevent and reduce the pinging sound try to keep the item in an area where the temperature does not fluctuate, such as a coffee table or book shelf. Keeping the item on a windowsill, over a radiator or near a drafty door (in the winter months) can cause the sound to increase in frequency.
We find the hairline cracks and crackle patterns to be a beautiful and unique addition to the character of each piece.