Clay mug care guide: microwave, dishwasher and washing

A Polymer Hands mug is a real ceramic mug with hand-sculpted polymer clay figures baked onto one side. The clay is set hard in our studio oven, and with gentle care your mug will keep looking the way it did on the day it arrived. Here is everything you need to know about using it, washing it and keeping it safe.

The three things to avoid

If you remember only one part of this guide, make it this one:

• No microwave. Do not heat your mug in the microwave, not even for a few seconds.
• No oven. Do not put it back in an oven or anywhere near direct heat.
• No dishwasher. Strong jets, harsh detergents and long hot cycles are hard on hand-sculpted clay.

We bake every mug once, in the studio, so the clay sets properly. After that, it is not made to go back into heat. Extra heating and harsh washing can loosen, crack or discolour the small clay pieces, and some of them, like fingers, glasses or tiny letters, are only a few millimetres wide.

How to wash it by hand

Washing a clay mug takes about a minute:

1. Rinse it soon after use, so tea and coffee do not dry inside.
2. Use warm, soapy water and a soft sponge. Skip scourers, steel wool and the rough side of a sponge.
3. Wash the inside normally. On the outside, wipe gently around the figures rather than scrubbing across them.
4. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth, or leave it upside down on a rack to air-dry.

Try not to leave the mug soaking in a full sink, where it can knock against heavier dishes.

Dusting a mug on display

If your mug lives on a shelf, dust can settle in the little gaps between the figures. A soft, dry make-up brush or a slightly damp cloth lifts it out without catching on the details. Avoid sprays and cleaning chemicals on the clay.

Can I drink from it?

Yes. The figures sit on the outside of the mug, so you can enjoy your chai or coffee from it and then wash it by hand as above. Pour drinks in gently rather than straight from a boiling pan, and hold the mug by its handle.

Some people keep their mug on a shelf or a desk as a keepsake instead. Both are fine: it was made to be enjoyed.

How strong are the figures?

Baked polymer clay is firm and durable with gentle care. Your mug will happily handle everyday use and careful washing. It is still a handmade piece with small details, though, so a hard knock or a fall onto a tiled floor can damage it, just as it would damage any ceramic mug.

A few habits keep it safe:

• Do not stack other mugs or plates on top of it.
• Keep it away from the edge of shelves and counters, especially around small children.
• Hold it by the handle or the body, not by the figures.

What if it arrives damaged?

Every mug is wrapped in bubble wrap and packed in a foam-lined box, but couriers are not always gentle. If your mug arrives broken or damaged, send us photos on WhatsApp within 48 hours of delivery and we will make you a free replacement. Include your order number and a photo of the box as well as the mug, so we can raise it with the courier too.

Because every mug is personalised and made to order, we cannot take returns. If anything else about your mug worries you, just message us. We are always happy to help.

Quick checklist

• Hand wash only, with a soft sponge and warm soapy water.
• No microwave, no oven, no dishwasher.
• Wipe gently around the figures; never scrub them.
• Dry with a soft cloth or upside down on a rack.
• Store it where it will not be knocked or stacked.

Looking after a gift

If your mug is a gift, it is kind to pass these tips on. A short note in the box ("hand wash only, no microwave") saves a lot of heartache. You can also add a gift note when you personalise your mug, and we will include it in the parcel.

Ready for your own? Choose a mug type below, tell us about your people, and we will sculpt it by hand in 7 to 10 days.