Care

Keeping papier-mâché & cement pieces looking their best

Handmade pieces are more durable than they look, but they aren't factory ceramics — a little care keeps them looking as good as the day they left the studio. None of this takes effort; it's mostly about a few small habits.

1. Dust gently and often

The simplest thing you can do is also the most important. Wipe pieces every week or two with a soft, dry cloth or a clean, soft brush, following the surface texture rather than scrubbing across it. Regular light dusting stops grime settling into the handmade texture, where it's much harder to remove later.

2. Keep them dry

This matters most for papier-mâché. It's paper at heart, so it doesn't like standing water, soaking, or a damp bathroom. Never submerge a piece or run it under the tap. If a papier-mâché bowl needs to hold anything, keep it to dry items — keys, jewellery, dried flowers. Cement is far more water-tolerant, but it isn't sealed stoneware either: wipe it with a barely-damp cloth if needed, then dry it straight away, and avoid leaving pooled water sitting on the surface.

The single best habit: keep water off it, and dust it before dust becomes grime.

3. Mind direct sun and heat

Long hours of harsh, direct sunlight can slowly fade natural finishes, and strong heat — a radiator, a hot windowsill — can dry pieces out over time. A spot with plenty of daylight but out of the midday glare keeps colours looking rich for years.

4. Handle with clean, dry hands

When you move a piece, lift it by the body or base rather than by a rim or a delicate edge, and use two hands for anything large. Clean, dry hands avoid transferring oils onto the surface. A stable shelf away from high-traffic edges does most of the protecting for you.

5. Use LED bulbs in the lamps

For our lighting, always reach for LED bulbs. They stay cool, which is gentle on paper-based shades, and their warm-white tone flatters the natural finish. Avoid hot, high-wattage incandescent bulbs in papier-mâché shades — the heat isn't good for the material over time.

Cared for this simply, a handmade piece ages beautifully — the surface keeps its warmth and character for years. If something ever does get chipped or marked, message us; because each piece is made by hand, small repairs and touch-ups are often possible.