Care
Earthenware or pottery is made from baked clay, but does not have as smooth and glassy a surface as china.
It conducts heat slowly and evenly, and holds heat well.
Glazes may be damaged by sudden temperature changes. It can be damaged by abrasives, and cracked or broken by hard blows.
Cleaning
Modern commercial dinnerware, with the glaze applied over the decorations, can be washed in the dishwasher.
For hand made pottery, check with the maker to find out if it can be washed in the dishwasher. Never use scouring powders or harsh scourers as they will damage the glaze; if food does not come off after a brief soak, a plastic mesh pad may be used. Remove tea stains in cups with a solution of 2 tablespoons chlorine bleach per quart of water; soak 1-2 minutes; rinse promptly.
