Preventative Care: Ceramics

Presented by Sarah Grace Rogers, 13 July 2022

Temperature, RH, and Light

● Temperature: 65-70°F with less than 5° fluctuations in 24 hours
● Relative humidity (RH): 40 - 60% with fluctuations less than 5% in 24 hours; archaeological specimens at 45% RH
● Light: Visible or UV light does not damage most ceramics, but infrared can by heating and causing changes in the RH. Keep
objects out of direct sunlight and keep UV-sensitive items in low-UV areas.
Pests
● Insects may eat food residues left after firing and can stain. To treat, capture the insect, identify the reason behind it, and
continue monitoring. Clean debris or dead insects if needed. Contact a conservator to identify any special cleaning for
ceramic. Insects can be prevented with environmental control.
Storage Conditions
● Sealed cabinets/containers or dust-covered open shelving in a low traffic areas
● Stationary (stabilized) shelves lined with polyethylene foam and supports for unstable objects made of foam blocks/padding
● Preferred: clear glass doors for visual access without touching; shelves only one-object deep to prevent reaching over others
● Avoid stacking, but, if necessary, place soft fabric between each piece and ensure no pressure.
Display/Exhibition
● Secure objects to prevent falling/bumping and place physical barriers for displays without cases
● No direct spotlights (light fixtures outside of exhibit cases)
● Clean with a vacuum, not a cloth
● Considerations: exhibitions expose objects to more agents of deterioration; collaborate with a conservator.
Handling
● As little as possible with well-thought-out plans; using both hands and never lifting by handles/decorative motifs
● Fitted latex or nitrile gloves for lustreware, gilded, and unglazed ceramics to protect against skin oils; clean hands may be
used in the case of slippery surfaces
Cleaning
● Work with a conservator for archaeological and low-fired porous ceramics or tough stains.
● Only clean ceramics that are fired and intact without previous fills or cracks.
● Inspect before cleaning and test first.
● Dilute cleaning solutions with soft damp cloths (such as mild detergent in water or 1:1 ethanol and water); air dry only.
● Never soak antiques or cracked/chipped ceramics in liquid.
Damage
● Mold/Lichen: only grows in wet conditions (RH above 65%), especially with oil or food residue present, but will not ingest
the ceramic itself; prevented with environmental control
● Staining: caused by improper use, cleaning, or repair; soaking porous, unglazed, or cracked ceramics in water during
cleaning; or absorbing colored material like foodstuffs, soil, or rust; darkened by elevated temperatures
● Cracking: caused by sudden changes in temperature
Consulting a Conservator
● Cleaning archaeological and low-fired porous ceramics or tenacious stains; cleaning after pest damage
● Building or maintaining an exhibition
● Treating previous repairs and performing repairs (including consolidating)
Special Considerations: Ceramics with Soluble Salts
● Archaeological ceramics with “soluble salts” could crystallize and destroy decoration/structure and are vulnerable to changes
in temperature and humidity. They should be treated separately and provided with more storage protection (lower RH).

Resources
Community Museums Program. “Managing pests in the collection: Integrated Pest Management (IPM).” In Museums & Galleries of
NSW Help Sheet, 1-12. Government of South Australia, 2011.
Logan, Judith A., and Tara Grant. “Caring for ceramic and glass objects.” In Canadian Heritage, 1-31. Ottawa: Government of
Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute, 2018.
National Parks Service. “Appendix P: Curatorial Care of Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Objects” (2000). In NPS Museum Handbook, Part
1: Museum Collections, 1-26. Washington, DC: Museum Management Program, 2019.