Porcelain Care - Cleaning your porcelain Depending on where you obtained your porcelain item it may need some initial cleaning. Later cleanings also should be performed in the same careful manner.
Flushing an item directly under the water tap is risky. It is too easy to accidentally knock an item against the tap or the hard enamel of a wash basin, especially if space is limited. And, wet porcelain can be really slippery when holding it! Best is to use a plastic bowl or container to prevent ceramics from accidental knocking.
Immerse the porcelain into warm water containing a mild detergent, or soapy water. Don't use cold water in winter when temperature can be very low. A sudden temperature change can cause porcelain to crack. Soak for several hours.
After soaking use a brush with hair or nylon bristles and clean soiled spots.
Repeat the above several times if it is not clean after the first time.
Pay special attention to ambient temperatures If ceramics are brought inside from freezing winter temperatures or tropical midday heat, it is recommended to give the item some time to adjust to interior temperatures before washing them.
Wash ceramics in luke-warm water. Never use hot or freezing cold water. A sudden change of temperature could cause the clay or glaze to crack if residual stress from the original firing is present in the ceramic body.
Some people use strong bathroom cleaners to clean their antique porcelain, because the milder method mentioned above is sometimes not very effective in removing age-old dirt. While this can be an effective method of cleaning, there is always the possibility of chemical residues being lodged in fissures and cracks. The last thing you want is to damage your valuable porcelain in the long term.
Also, please be aware that dirt or residues adhering to excavated ceramics sometimes may not be removable, after these were in the soil for a very long time .
