There's something special about drinking your morning chai from a handmade ceramic mug. The weight of it in your hands, the slight irregularities that make it uniquely yours — it's a small ritual that deserves a little care. Here's everything you need to know to keep your handmade ceramic mugs looking beautiful for years to come.
Are Handmade Ceramic Mugs Dishwasher Safe?
This is the most common question we get, and the honest answer is: it depends. Most of our mugs at Sree Studio are glazed and fired at high temperatures, which makes them durable — but repeated dishwasher cycles can dull the glaze over time and cause micro-cracks in the clay body.
Our recommendation: Hand wash your handmade mugs with warm water and mild dish soap. It takes 30 seconds and keeps the colours vibrant and the glaze intact for much longer.
How to Clean Handmade Ceramic Mugs
- Daily cleaning: Warm water + a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can scratch the glaze.
- Tea or coffee stains: Soak in a solution of warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda for 15–20 minutes, then rinse. Works like magic.
- Stubborn stains: A paste of baking soda and water applied gently with a soft cloth will lift most stains without damaging the surface.
- Avoid: Bleach or harsh chemical cleaners — these can strip the glaze and affect the colour.
Can You Microwave Handmade Ceramic Mugs?
Generally, yes — ceramic is microwave-safe. However, avoid microwaving mugs with metallic accents or gold/silver detailing, as metal and microwaves don't mix. When in doubt, check the product description or reach out to us directly.
Storing Your Ceramic Mugs
Stack mugs carefully if you must, but ideally store them upright or hang them on hooks. Stacking can cause chips on the rim over time, especially with handmade pieces where the rim may not be perfectly uniform.
What to Do If Your Mug Chips
Small chips on the base are cosmetic and don't affect use. A chip on the rim, however, can be a sharp edge — in that case, it's best to retire the mug from daily use. Food-safe ceramic repair kits are available, but for a beloved piece, we'd suggest reaching out to a local ceramicist for advice.
The Reward of Caring for Handmade Things
Our products are not mass-produced. Each mug carries the marks of the hands that made it — a slight variation in glaze, a gentle curve in the handle. Caring for them is part of the relationship you build with an object made with intention.
If you're looking for a mug that becomes a daily companion, explore our collection of handcrafted tile mugs — each one illustrated and made to be used, loved, and kept.
- Little Adventures Tile Mug
- Tiny Wonders Tile Mug
- Once Upon a Tile Mug
- Cottage Escape Tile Mug
- Bloom Tile Mug
Have a question about caring for your Sree Studio piece? Get in touch — we're always happy to help.
