How to Clean Satsuma Pottery

General Cleaning

• 1

  Mix 1 cup of ammonia with 2 gallons of hot water in a large, watertight container.

• 2

  Submerge the piece of Satsuma pottery in the ammonia mixture. The pottery should be completely submerged.

• 3

  Allow the pottery to soak for 24 hours.

• 4

  Rinse the pottery in warm water. Repeat steps 1 through 3 if necessary.

Mineral Buildup

• 5

  Submerge the piece of Satsuma pottery in undiluted white vinegar. The pottery should be entirely submerged.

• 6

  Allow the pottery to soak for 24 hours.

• 7

  Rinse the pottery with warm water. Scrape the mineral buildup gently with the tip of a butter knife to remove softened deposits and allow the vinegar to penetrate the deposit more effectively.

• 8

  Repeat steps 1 through 3 until the mineral deposit is gone.

• 9

  Rinse the pottery and then soak it in water for 24 hours or until the vinegar has dissipated.

Adhesive and Paint

• 10

  Dampen a clean rag with acetone. Work with small amounts of acetone at a time to prevent unwanted dripping.

• 11

  Rub the acetone-dampened rag on the adhesive or paint stain. Scrub lightly with the rag for about five minutes.

• 12

  Rinse the pottery and then scuff the adhesive or paint with the tip of a butter knife to loosen it and allow the acetone to work more effectively.

• 13

  Repeat steps 1 through 3 until the adhesive or paint is removed.

Darkened Crazing

• 14

  Submerge the piece of Satsuma pottery in 40 percent hydrogen peroxide solution.

• 15

  Allow the pottery to soak for one to four weeks, or until the pottery is sufficiently lightened. Check the pottery and change the hydrogen peroxide solution once a week.

• 16

  Wash the pottery with dish detergent and warm water. Rinse the pottery.