Can You Put As You Wish Pottery In The Dishwasher?

Putting handmade pottery in the dishwasher is a common question for owners of pottery and ceramic wares. Many people are uncertain if their one-of-a-kind pottery pieces are suitable for the high heat and harsh detergents used in dishwashers.

This article will examine the key factors in determining whether handmade pottery can safely go in the dishwasher. It will cover how dishwashers affect different types of pottery, signs of damage, best practices for washing, and when pottery is too far gone and needs to be thrown out.

By the end, you’ll know how to identify dishwasher-safe pottery and learn tips to keep your pottery looking its best.

Reasons People Put Pottery in Dishwashers

Many people put their pottery and ceramics in the dishwasher out of convenience. Using the dishwasher can be much faster and easier than hand-washing each individual piece. According to https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/t4l9e1/can_i_put_my_handmade_pottery_in_the_dishwasher/, some people assume that if a piece of pottery has been properly vitrified and glazed it will be impermeable to water and therefore dishwasher safe. However, not all pottery is suited for the high heat and harsh detergents used in dishwashers. If potters and ceramic artists do not clearly indicate that a piece is dishwasher safe, it’s best to err on the side of caution and hand wash. Some people may put their pottery in the dishwasher simply because they are unaware of the risks and effects dishwashers can have on pottery and ceramics.

Dishwasher Effects on Pottery

Putting pottery in the dishwasher can damage it in several ways due to the extreme heat, harsh detergents, and high water pressure inside a dishwasher:

The high heat of dishwasher cycles, often reaching temperatures of 140-150°F, can cause crazing (fine cracks) in pottery glazes and clays. Glazes may become cloudy or develop rough patches when exposed to such intense heat. According to PotteryCrafters.com, extreme temperature changes are one of the main reasons handmade pottery should not go in the dishwasher.

Harsh dishwasher detergents are formulated to cut through tough grease and food residue. However, these strong detergents can wear away, dissolve, or react poorly with delicate pottery glazes causing the glaze to become etched, faded, or peel away over time. Reddit users discuss concerns over whether certain glaze formulations may leach when interacting with acidic dishwasher detergents.

The high-pressure spray during the wash and rinse cycles can damage thinner walled pottery, especially handmade pieces. Frequent dishwashing may cause the pottery to warp, crack, chip or break apart entirely.

Types of Pottery Not Dishwasher Safe

Certain types of pottery should never be placed in the dishwasher due to their porous nature that allows water to seep in and cause cracking or breakage. According to this Reddit discussion, stoneware, terra cotta, handmade or antique pottery are not dishwasher safe.

Stoneware is a very porous type of pottery that soaks up water easily. The intense heat and harsh detergents in a dishwasher can cause the clay to expand and contract too quickly, resulting in cracks or complete breakage. According to this article, it’s best to wash stoneware by hand to preserve its integrity.

Terra cotta has a similar porous, coarse texture that absorbs water and soap readily. The water pressure and high heat in a dishwasher environment will also lead terra cotta to crack or shatter. Gently hand washing is recommended for terra cotta ware.

Handmade or antique pottery can also be damaged in the dishwasher. These older or handcrafted pieces may have small imperfections or delicate decorations that can crack or fade under the harsh conditions inside a dishwasher. It’s safest to wash them by hand to avoid damage.

Identifying Dishwasher Safe Pottery

Most modern handmade and commercial pottery will be clearly labeled or marked if it is dishwasher safe. Look on the bottom or back of pieces to see if there is a “dishwasher safe” label. This label is usually a simple image of a dish and utensils.

If there is no label, you can check the material and glaze. Porcelain and high-fired stoneware pieces with glazes that don’t contain metallic materials are usually durable enough for the dishwasher. The glaze creates a non-porous surface that resists damage. Low-fired earthenware or unglazed pieces should be hand washed.

Some clear signs a piece is not dishwasher safe include:

• Made from earthenware or low-fire clay
• Unglazed or has a natural clay finish
• Brightly colored glazes with metallic flakes or shimmer
• Delicate shapes and details

When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and wash by hand.

Best Practices for Washing Pottery

The safest way to clean most pottery is by handwashing. Use a soft sponge or cloth with warm water and a mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or cleaners that could scratch the surface. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for any special care recommendations. According to Martha Stewart, handwashing collectible porcelain and ceramic pieces with a gentle dish soap is recommended.

When handwashing, let the pottery soak in the sudsy water for a few minutes to loosen any dirt or stains. Gently scrub the surface with the sponge or cloth using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry immediately with a soft towel to prevent water spots. Avoid soaking delicate pottery for too long, as prolonged water exposure can damage some clay bodies or glazes.

Handwashing allows you to inspect each piece for chips, hairline cracks, or other damage that could worsen in the dishwasher. It also gives you control over the water temperature, pressure, and scrubbing, so you can customize the cleaning for each material and piece.

Signs of Dishwasher Damage

Some of the most common signs of dishwasher damage on pottery include:

Chipping

The intense water pressure and jostling of items in a dishwasher can cause small chips along the edges and rims of pottery pieces. This is especially common in handmade pottery that doesn’t have an evenly smoothed glaze. According to https://potterycrafters.com/can-pottery-go-in-the-dishwasher/, chipping occurs because dishwashers lack the gentle hand washing that ceramic pieces need.

Cracking

Sudden temperature changes from hot wash cycles and cool rinse cycles can cause cracks or crazing marks in pottery. Glazes may also crack or peel off from the intense heat and moisture in a dishwasher. According to https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10jba0h/eli5_why_shouldnt_you_put_home_made_ceramics_a/, stress cracks are also common when pottery bangs against other items during the wash cycle.

Fading

The chemicals, moisture, and heat in a dishwasher can cause paints, metallic accents, and colored glazes to fade or bleed. Hand-painted designs may become dull, muted or blurred after repeated dishwasher use. The intensity of dishwashing can be too harsh for delicate decorative finishes.

Stains

Food residue and minerals in water can leave behind stains or film on porous, unglazed pottery. Hard water especially can deposit limescale or a cloudy residue. According to https://thepotterywheel.com/is-pottery-dishwasher-safe/, the chemicals in dishwasher detergent may also react with some glazes and clays, causing stains.

Repairing Light Dishwasher Damage

If your pottery has only minor damage from the dishwasher, such as small chips, light stains, or minor discoloration, it may be possible to repair it and extend its life. Some simple techniques for repairing minor dishwasher damage include:

Touching up chips – Small chips along the edges or rims of pottery can often be smoothed over with specialty putty or filler made for ceramics and pottery. Products like Loctite ceramic epoxy putty or MILA ArtFix Repair Kitty are designed to fill chips and be food safe once fully cured. Follow package directions closely.

Buffing out stains – For light staining, buffing with a soft cloth and some baking soda may help remove dishwasher stains. You can make a paste of baking soda and water and gently rub stained areas, then rinse clean. Don’t scrub too hard, as this may damage the pottery further.

When to Throw Out Damaged Pottery

There comes a point when damaged pottery is beyond repair and needs to be disposed of properly. Here are some signs that it’s time to throw out your damaged ceramics:

Extensive cracking or chipping – If the cracks or chips are large or cover a significant portion of the piece, it likely cannot be repaired. Pieces with multiple cracks spanning the entire surface should be discarded.

Unsanitary – Bacteria and mold can grow in cracks and crevices over time, especially if food or liquid has gotten trapped inside. This creates a health hazard and the piece should be thrown out.

Dangerously weakened – Major cracks or flaws that compromise the structural integrity of pottery can cause it to break or shatter unexpectedly. Weakened items that could easily break into sharp shards should not be used and disposed of.

According to Reddit discussions, extensive damage like this typically means it’s time to throw out your pottery. While ceramics are not hazardous waste, it’s best to avoid using damaged and weakened pieces that could potentially cause injury.

Conclusion

When deciding whether to put pottery in the dishwasher, it’s important to examine the item closely and identify any markings indicating it is dishwasher safe. Unglazed, handmade, antique, and decorated pottery should always be hand washed to prevent damage from high heat and harsh detergents. Use a soft sponge and mild soap to gently clean delicate pottery. Even dishwasher safe items may experience minor damage over time, such as fading of decorative paints. Signs of dishwasher damage include cracks, chips, loss of glossy finish, and blurred painted designs. While light damage can sometimes be repaired, severely damaged pottery often needs to be discarded. Following the manufacturer’s care instructions, inspecting items closely, and hand washing anything doubtful is the best way to safely keep pottery looking its best. With proper care, many types of pottery can provide years of beauty and enjoyment.