When you hear how to care for your utensils, it may seem a little difficult.
However, just by taking a little time and being careful about how to wash your utensils before using them, you can reduce the burden on your utensils.
We will introduce care methods for each material so that you can learn about the characteristics of each handmade pottery and use it for a long time with peace of mind.
*At our store, when customers purchase pottery, we include a paper with easy care instructions. Please refer to them as well.
Care for ceramic vessels
About use in microwave ovens and dishwashers
【Microwave】
Although it is possible to warm up the product in many cases, using it for a long time can cause stains and cracks.
Porcelain and semi-porcelain can basically be used, but thin ones and ceramics tend to chip easily if the vessels collide with each other.
Ceramics are sensitive to sudden temperature changes, so please refrain from using them as much as possible.
*Some items are OK to use. Please check each product page.
I want to know more about using microwave ovens and dishwashers! If so, please refer to this article.
Things to do before using
Eye stopper
There are two main types of vessels: ceramics and porcelain.
For pottery with coarse and water-absorbing soil, in order to prevent stains and odors from accumulating and to prevent water leakage, soak it in water or use starchy materials such as rice or potato starch to prevent penetration and rough holes in the soil. It may be necessary to use a ``eye seal'' to close the area.
Many porcelain and semi-porcelain do not require sealing, and some ceramics do not require glaze, type of clay, or firing method.
Please refer to each product page to see if a seal is required.
By the way, if the clay pot is not tightly sealed, it will be difficult to boil, so be sure to seal it before using it.
≪ Method of sealing ≫
1. Please wash gently before use.
2.Put the bowl in a pot, pour in the rice water until it just covers it, and boil it over low heat for about 15 minutes.
3. Let the pot cool down, remove the container, and dry it thoroughly.
Ceramics are coarse grained and have countless tiny holes that are invisible to the naked eye, so they absorb water.
The viscosity of the rice scrubbing liquid will fill in those holes, making it resistant to impacts and dirt, and making it harder for stains and odors to stick to it.
Kowahiki containers are highly water-absorbing, so if you soak them with water, what looks like stains may appear on the surface, but they will disappear if you dry them thoroughly.
During boiling, many clay pots are soft and not hard, so they tend to chip if the pots collide with each other or are subjected to impact.
Please avoid overlapping or colliding.
If you find it a little troublesome to close the eyes
We recommend the following method for easy maintenance.
Just soak the rice in water or fresh water and let it soak for a while
This seems easy to do.
We sometimes receive questions about "does it absolutely have to be done?" regarding "eye closures".
The owner of Uchiru likes the way the items get a little stained, change color, and take on a flavorful texture as they are used, so he sometimes seals them and sometimes he doesn't.
However, I think it's better to do it, although not absolutely.
For example, you may have bought leather shoes or a leather bag because you liked them, but then it rained and
rain stains formed on them.
At that time, it would have been a bit troublesome, but I should have applied waterproof spray before using it.
You may have thought that.
Like leather products, ceramics tend to stain easily when exposed to moisture.
Therefore, by applying a sealant in advance like a waterproofing spray, you can reduce the possibility of stains and dirt and maintain the condition.
I want to keep things as clean as possible, such as powder-filled items that stain easily, and very clean white dishes, so I try to seal them.
Before serving food
Dry utensils tend to absorb moisture and easily cause stains.
If you dampen the food by running it under running water, then wipe it gently before serving, it will be less likely to stain.
How to wash
After using the container, wash it as soon as possible and dry it thoroughly.
Insufficient drying may cause mold and odors.
When storing
When storing items one on top of another, stacking items of the same material and shape will prevent scratches.
Putting kitchen paper or Japanese paper between them will prevent scratches and absorb moisture.
If mold grows
During the rainy and humid seasons, especially the kitchen and cupboards are very humid, so be careful.
Mold looks like a lot of dark, vague dots.
The container itself does not have any nutrients for mold, so the direct cause is food left on the container that is left unwashed.
Mold is quite difficult to remove, so the first thing to do is to prevent it from getting moldy.
The measure to prevent mold is to dry thoroughly.
Ceramics are water absorbent, so even if you think the surface is dry, the absorbed moisture will not be removed, so please dry it for about half a day to a day with the bottom of the container facing up and not overlapping. .
In case of mold
If it gets moldy, first wash it and sterilize it by boiling.
If that doesn't work, soak it in diluted bleach, then rinse thoroughly and dry thoroughly in the sun.
Due to the water absorbency of pottery, we do not recommend using bleach except when removing mold.
Cleaning your glass vessels
How to wash
Wash the containers gently so that they do not hit each other. Dissolve neutral detergent in lukewarm water and wash gently with a sponge.
After rinsing the detergent, run it under lukewarm water to help drain the water.
Drying with moisture remaining may cause cloudiness. Therefore, after washing, wipe it dry with highly absorbent cotton or linen cloth.
Precautions when washing
・Avoid using scrubbing brushes made of hard materials or detergents containing abrasives such as cleansers. There is a risk that the gold paint or painting may peel off. You can prevent scratches by removing accessories before washing.
・Make sure that no force is applied to the stems (legs) of glasses.
・Clean the cut part of the cut glass using a soft toothbrush or sponge.
・If the glasses overlap and cannot be separated, soak the lower glass in hot water and slowly rotate it.
How to remove fog
One of the causes of cloudiness is said to be the calcium component contained in tap water. In that case, using citric acid is effective.
To do this, simply dissolve 1 teaspoon of citric acid in 200 ml of lukewarm water and let it soak for a while.
Other methods include adding lemon juice, vinegar, or lemon slices to salt.
Cleaning your wine glasses
Many of the glass products are high-quality, and wine glasses with special shapes require special care when handling.
How to wash
Wine glasses are delicate and break easily, so be careful how you hold them.
First, hold the bottom of the bowl with your entire palm.
Then, take some detergent on a sponge and gently stroke the spout of the glass from the outside a few times.
Put only the sponge inside the wine glass and wash by rotating the sponge.
After rinsing, quickly wipe off moisture with a soft, lint-free cloth or absorbent kitchen paper.
Also, the legs (stem) are delicate and will break with the slightest force. Try to let the dish towel absorb the moisture, and just press it gently.
Handle high-quality glasses with care, such as using two dish towels to prevent fingerprints from getting on the glass.
After removing the moisture, store it upright with the pedestal facing down. It may become cloudy if it swells.
How to remove dullness from red wine
The bottom of a wine glass is difficult to clean, and as you use it, brownish stains may form on the bottom or it may become dull.
This is mainly caused by the components "anthocyanin" and "tannin" contained in red wine.
These ingredients have the property of pigmentation over time, and if left for a long time, they will turn into stains.
To prevent stains, rinse each guest with lukewarm water to remove the stains.
Crystal glass is especially sensitive to sudden temperature changes, so be sure to wash it with lukewarm water.
If I am really worried about it, I put a few drops of bleach in a glass, fill it with water, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This will help remove stains from the bottom of the glass.
However, the smell of bleach is a concern, so be sure to rinse thoroughly with water.
Care of lacquerware (lacquerware)
Things to do before using
Smell
New lacquerware has a unique smell. Therefore, if you are concerned about the smell, take it out of the box and leave it in a well-ventilated, shaded area for a few days.
In long-established restaurants, it is said that they will use it after six months.
Another method is to warm the rice water and mix a small amount of vinegar with it.
Blanch
If you suddenly put something hot into it, the wood may become deformed.
For this reason, it is best to blanch new lacquerware in lukewarm water before use.
How to wash
Lacquerware has the impression that it is difficult to maintain, but it can be washed with a mild detergent and a soft sponge.
However, it is a softer material than other pottery, so it is best to wash it separately from ceramics and glass.
After washing, wipe the water thoroughly with a cloth. When doing so, be especially careful to wipe down areas where water tends to collect, such as the corners of the box and the bottom of the bowl.
Precautions for handling
Please avoid using the dishwasher or dryer.
Washing machines use very strong detergents, so they are not good for painting, and drying machines may cause deformation.
Extreme dryness is not good for lacquer. Therefore, avoid leaving it in the refrigerator for a long time, as it can be very dry.
If you are not going to use it for a long time, please place a cup with a little water in the cupboard to prevent it from drying out.
Cleaning your wooden utensils
How to wash
Maintenance of wooden utensils is easy, just wipe them with a dry cloth or a well-wrung cloth.
If you are concerned about dirt, wash it with a sponge using a neutral detergent.
Items coated with lacquer or urethane repel oil and water, so they can be washed normally.
Although it is resistant to water, it absorbs odors and dirt more easily than tableware made of other materials, so it is not recommended to soak it in water. After washing, wipe it dry with a cloth.
Also, heat may cause the wood to warp or deform. Also avoid using the dishwasher, microwave, or oven.
If the surface becomes rough
After using the product for a long time, the paint may come off and the surface may become rough. In such cases, apply oil.
Any oil you have at home, such as olive oil, is sufficient.
Pour a small amount of oil onto a container, wipe it with kitchen paper, spread it thinly, and let it dry thoroughly.
If the dry condition is severe, it is a good idea to polish the affected areas with sandpaper before applying the oil. This will allow the oil to seep in more easily.
Care for bamboo products
How to wash
Wipe with a dry cloth or a tightly wrung out cloth, and dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight.
If you are concerned about dirt, please wash it lightly with water. Bamboo is a natural material, so please avoid soaking it in water or putting it in the dishwasher.
Storage method
Avoid direct sunlight and store in a well-ventilated place. Please note that placing it in a poorly ventilated item such as a plastic bag may cause mold.
We also recommend hanging the basket on a hook as storage for display.
Cleaning cutlery and metal tableware
How to wash
Be sure to use a neutral detergent.
Please do not use abrasive cleansers or bleach.
After washing, rinse the detergent completely and wipe it dry with a dry cloth.
If the detergent is not removed and it dries, silver-plated dishes may rust.
How to care for silverware
When polishing tarnished silverware, use a special "silver polisher."
Put a small amount on a soft cloth and lightly rub the discolored area to remove dark spots.
It's a good idea to use cotton swabs to touch the uneven parts of the pattern. After polishing, rinse the silver polishing so that no silver polish remains, and wipe dry to remove moisture.
Seasonings, proteins such as eggs, meat, and cheese, cleansing of tap water, and items using raw rubber such as rubber bands and plastic wrap
Maintenance of brass
One of the charms of brass is that its color and texture change as it is used, allowing you to enjoy its changes over time.
However, if the darkening becomes too dark or a green rust called patina appears, use a commercially available metal polishing cloth or polishing agent to polish it.
Just wiping the water thoroughly after washing can prevent darkening and patina.
About storage and organization
Storage cutlery by type as much as possible in a dry place with no temperature fluctuations.
It may rust if placed in a hot and humid place.
Prevent silver-plated tableware from coming into contact with air as much as possible.
Storing in a dry place away from direct sunlight can prevent discoloration.
When storing in a sealed container, it is effective to add desiccant or oxygen absorber.
Conclusion   ;
This time, we explained how to care for each type of pottery material. All of these things are easy to do, such as wiping the water well.
By paying attention to a few things, you can keep your favorite pottery in good condition for a long time.
Why not take a look at how to care for your utensils using this article as a reference?
Thank you for reading until the end. I hope you all find good works!