How to Clean Pottery After Glaze

After dipping a pottery piece into glaze, it's important to clean it up a bit to ensure that it fires evenly and comes out of the kiln with a smooth, even coat. The best technique for cleaning newly glazed pottery is by applying gentle pressure with your hand when the glaze is still partially wet. If the glaze has fully dried, you can also use a fine sandpaper very carefully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check the piece thoroughly for spots that have accumulated more glaze in clumps, pools or thick streaks or lines. These are easy to spot and may even be raised like a bump as you gently touch the glaze to check for evenness.

2. Smooth out the excess by moving the pool of glaze gently outward to adjacent areas until the different areas have become even. Be careful to apply very little pressure. If the glaze has already partially hardened or this is the second dip, you may want to wait until it has fully dried to clean the piece up.

3. Use fine sandpaper to lightly sand down any large bumps that have thoroughly dried. It's crucial that the glaze be dry or you'll probably disrupt the entire area, even down to the painted glaze, with the slightest touch.

Tips & Warnings

• A sponge can be a good tool for moving glaze around if you don't want to get your hands dirty. Again, be careful as you go. It's easy to push too hard when using a tool.