Can Handmade Pottery Go in the Dishwasher?

The convenience of modern dishwashers often collides with the artisanal nature of handmade pottery, creating a dilemma for ceramic enthusiasts. The question of whether pottery is dishwasher safe is one of the most common concerns among those who cherish their handcrafted mugs, plates, and bowls. 

While mass-produced ceramics typically come with clear care instructions, handmade pieces present a more nuanced situation requiring thoughtful consideration. 

Let’s examine the factors determining dishwasher compatibility for handmade pottery and learn how to make informed decisions about caring for your cherished ceramic pieces.

Understanding Dishwasher Safety: Commercial vs. Handmade Pottery

Not all pottery is equally suited for dishwasher use. The key distinction lies between handmade pottery, crafted through individual techniques and variable materials, and commercial pottery, mass-produced for consistent durability.

Most commercial pottery, including factory-made stoneware and porcelain, is designed to withstand dishwasher cycles. These pieces undergo high-temperature firing and standardized glazing processes, ensuring they can endure heat, moisture, and detergent exposure without significant wear. 

Meanwhile, handmade pottery varies in composition, firing methods, and glaze quality, making its dishwasher safety less predictable. Factors to consider include:

  • Firing temperature: Those fired to high temperatures (cone 9-10, approximately 2300°F/1260°C) exhibit superior dishwasher durability. The extreme heat creates strong molecular bonds within the clay, reducing porosity and increasing structural integrity. Mid-range firing (cone 5-6, around 2160°F/1180°C) generally produces dishwasher-resistant pieces if properly executed with appropriate glazes. Low-fire pottery (cone 06-04, approximately 1830°F/1000°C) presents higher risks in dishwashers due to greater porosity and potential for water absorption.

  • Glaze quality: Food-safe glazes fired to full maturity help protect pottery, but specialty finishes (such as matte, metallic, or crystalline glazes) may degrade faster with repeated washing.

  • Decorative elements: Pieces with gold, silver, or painted designs can fade, chip, or cause appliance damage when exposed to dishwasher heat and water pressure.

  • Structural integrity: Handmade pottery with thin walls, delicate attachments, or complex designs faces a higher risk of thermal shock and breakage in dishwashers.

How to Identify Dishwasher-Safe Handmade Pottery

Determining whether specific handmade pottery pieces can safely go in the dishwasher requires careful assessment of several indicators.

When purchasing new handmade pottery, communication with the artisan provides the most reliable information. Professional potters generally know the limitations of their work and can advise on appropriate cleaning methods. Don't hesitate to ask specific questions about dishwasher safety, as most artists willingly share care instructions for their creations.

For traditional or antique pottery, artisans or sellers can also clarify whether pieces are non-food safe. Some older ceramics may contain materials or glazes unsuitable for food use, so verifying their intended purpose ensures safe handling and prevents unintended exposure to harmful substances.

For pottery already in your possession, examine these physical characteristics:

Density

The overall density offers clues about firing temperature and potential dishwasher compatibility. Well-vitrified, high-fired pottery typically feels heavier than similarly sized low-fire pieces. The pottery should produce a clear ringing sound when lightly tapped with a fingernail—a dull thud often indicates lower firing temperatures and greater porosity that might not fare well in dishwashers.

Glazing

Glaze surfaces provide additional insights. Run your fingers across the glazed surface—properly matured glazes feel smooth and glass-like without rough spots or pinholes. Check for crazing (fine cracks in the glaze surface), which can trap food particles and deteriorate further with dishwasher exposure. Examine decorative elements carefully, as metallic accents or hand-painted details typically face greater risks from mechanical washing.

Testing

Testing approaches can also help determine dishwasher compatibility for unmarked pieces. Before committing to regular dishwasher cleaning, try a single gentle cycle with mild detergent. After washing, inspect the piece carefully for any changes in appearance, sound, or texture. 

Some potters also recommend the water absorption test. Place a few drops of water on the unglazed foot of the pottery and monitor whether they soak in (indicating higher porosity) or remain beaded on the surface (suggesting good vitrification).

Risks of Dishwashing Handmade Pottery

Even potentially dishwasher-safe pottery faces several risks from mechanical washing that owners should understand before choosing this cleaning method.

Thermal Shock

Thermal shock is one of the primary hazards. Dishwashers expose pottery to dramatic temperature changes—from room temperature to very hot water and back again—potentially causing microscopic cracks that worsen over time. 

High-heat drying cycles particularly stress ceramic materials. While properly vitrified stoneware and porcelain resist this damage better than earthenware, all pottery faces some risk from these temperature fluctuations.

Chemical Degradation

Dishwasher detergents contain aggressive cleaning agents designed to remove food residue. These chemicals can gradually erode certain glaze types, particularly those with reactive components or decorative elements. 

Over repeated washing cycles, colors may fade, surfaces may dull, and protective glaze barriers may deteriorate. This risk increases with decorative techniques like decals, lusters, or hand-painted elements.

Physical Damage

Physical damage occurs through contact with other dishwasher contents. Pottery pieces may chip when knocked against each other or against metal utensils during washing cycles. The vigorous water jets in modern dishwashers can also cause lighter pieces to shift position, potentially resulting in impacts. These mechanical forces sometimes damage vulnerable areas like handles, rims, or decorative embellishments.

Best Practices for Caring for Handmade Pottery

Whether you choose to use the dishwasher or not, several practices help maintain handmade pottery's beauty and functionality over time.

For dishwasher cleaning, consider these precautions:

1. Use Gentle Cycles with Lower Temperatures

The "light" or "eco" setting in dishwashers offers sufficient cleaning power with less thermal stress. Position pottery items securely to prevent movement during washing, ensuring they don't touch other dishes or utensils. 

Select mild detergents designed for delicate items rather than harsh commercial products containing bleach or abrasive components. Allow the dishwasher to cool completely before removing pottery to minimize thermal shock when handling the pieces.

2. Consider Handwashing

Hand washing offers the safest cleaning approach for most handmade pottery. Use warm (not hot) water with mild dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge rather than abrasive scrubbers. Avoid soaking pottery for extended periods, as water can penetrate microcracks in glazes and potentially weaken the clay body. 

Air dry completely before storing to prevent moisture accumulation that might lead to mildew or deterioration.

3. Ensure Proper Storage

Proper storage protects pottery between uses. Avoid stacking heavy pieces on top of each other without protective padding. Store pottery away from extreme temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight, which can cause glaze crazing over time. 

For particularly valuable or delicate pieces, consider using plate stands or individual shelf spaces rather than stacking.

Special Considerations for Different Pottery Types

Different types of handmade pottery require specific care approaches based on their unique characteristics.

Stoneware

Stoneware generally offers the best combination of durability and dishwasher resistance among handmade pottery types. Its high firing temperature creates dense, non-porous pieces that resist water absorption. 

Commercial stoneware pieces with simple glazes typically handle dishwasher cleaning well. However, artisanal stoneware with specialty glazes or decorative elements may still benefit from hand washing to preserve their unique characteristics.

Porcelain

Porcelain, despite its delicate appearance, actually demonstrates excellent dishwasher durability when properly fired. Its extreme vitrification creates a glass-like body resistant to water penetration. However, the often-thinner construction of porcelain pieces increases their vulnerability to physical damage from impacts within the dishwasher. 

Fine porcelain with delicate decorations or gold/platinum accents should generally avoid dishwasher cleaning despite the material's inherent durability.

Earthenware

Earthenware presents the highest risk for dishwasher damage due to its more porous structure and typically lower firing temperatures. Traditional terracotta, majolica, and similar earthenware varieties generally benefit from hand washing regardless of their glaze quality. 

The porous clay body can absorb water over time, potentially leading to staining, cracking, or glaze detachment with repeated dishwasher exposure.

Conclusion

Handmade pottery can sometimes withstand dishwasher cleaning, but the suitability varies dramatically based on multiple factors, including clay type, firing temperature, glaze composition, and construction techniques. While high-fired stoneware and porcelain with simple, well-matured glazes often tolerate dishwashers reasonably well, many handmade pieces benefit from the gentler treatment of hand washing.

When in doubt about a specific piece, consulting with the potter who created it provides the most reliable guidance. For pottery already in your collection without clear provenance, assessing physical characteristics like density, sound, and glaze quality helps determine appropriate cleaning methods. Testing with a single gentle dishwasher cycle can provide insights, but recognizing that damage sometimes accumulates gradually over many washing cycles rather than appearing immediately.

Ultimately, the decision balances convenience against preservation of unique handmade qualities. For everyday functional pottery like ceramic dinner plates or serving bowls, dishwasher cleaning might be an acceptable compromise, while special pieces with sentimental or artistic value deserve the extra care of hand washing. Consider investing in complete dinner sets designed for both beauty and daily functionality.

It is by understanding the factors that influence dishwasher compatibility that pottery enthusiasts can make informed decisions to maintain their cherished ceramic pieces for years of continued enjoyment.