Cleaning Celadon Teaware

[caulfield]

A few months ago, I bought this teapot and it has quickly become a favorite for gong fu cha (except its a little big). However, I was going to take it to work, but I wanted to clean it first. Since its my first piece of celadon teaware, I have no idea how to clean it. Suggestions?

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[yalokinh]

magic eraser!

[debunix]

If it's fully glazed, I do the first wash of new teaware with regular dishsoap and hot water. After that, lots more hot water.

Later washes are usually just hot water and the occasional rub with baking soda when the tannins start to stain a bit.

[Chip]

If it's fully glazed, I do the first wash of new teaware with regular dishsoap and hot water. After that, lots more hot water.

Later washes are usually just hot water and the occasional rub with baking soda when the tannins start to stain a bit.

This brings up a good point ... question. Most celadon glazed pieces show tea staining crackling early. If tea seeps into the cracks, would not also any cleaner?

I guess my question could be applied to virtually any glazed teaware that shows tea staining in the crackles over time ... but this topic is regarding celadon.

Having said that, I have "reset" tea stained crackled teaware with a product similar to denture tablets ... it is in powder form and unscented.

[TwoDog2]

I guess my question could be applied to virtually any glazed teaware that shows tea staining in the crackles over time ... but this topic is regarding celadon.

That is an interesting question. I would like to learn more about the details of how the "settling" process works with celadon

[togei]

If the question is how to clean celadon then it can be treated just as any high-fired glazed ware, i.e., washed regularly. If you are asking how to clean the debris or color from the crackle I would suggest using a sonic bath. A couple of turns in one will do wonders. There are many different things you can put into the bath to help whiten, hydrogen peroxide being one, about a teaspoon full.

[debunix]

If it's fully glazed, I do the first wash of new teaware with regular dishsoap and hot water. After that, lots more hot water.

Later washes are usually just hot water and the occasional rub with baking soda when the tannins start to stain a bit.

This brings up a good point ... question. Most celadon glazed pieces show tea staining crackling early. If tea seeps into the cracks, would not also any cleaner?

I use a very mild dishwashing liquid and if I don't worry about a bit of it not being rinsed off of my pots & pans and other dishes, I don't worry about a tiny bit of it seeping into and later out of crackles in the glaze. I only use it that first time; I do many rinses with very hot water (from my kettle, not just hot from the tap); and I've never tasted soap in my tea.

[paul haigh]

With the woodfired stuff that I do- everything goes in the dishwasher. My celadon usually has crazing on the fire side (for stoneware), or all over for porcelain. The dishwasher is effective at removing staining from the craze lines.

Of course, I cannot speak for the dishwasher safety of any other person's work.