CARING FOR YOUR ITALIAN CERAMICS

All our Italian Ceramic Dinnerware and Tabletop Products are guaranteed to be 100% Food Safe.

Our manufactures do NOT use any glaze or color pigment with lead content in our dinnerware and tabletop products, and these products comply with FDA Regulations.

Fratelli Mari

All Fratelli Mari products are made with lead-free enamels and colors, are food-safe, and dishwasher-safe.  All the products and colors they use are lead free and also meet California regulations (PROP65). Their ceramics are lead free and dishwasher safe.

Microwave and Conventional Oven Use

Our Italian dinnerware products are manufactured to be used as "Serving" pieces and not cookware and therefore are not suitable for stove or conventional oven use.

The ceramics can be used in microwave oven for moderate reheating only.
NOTE: These Italian ceramics may become very hot. As the temperature of certain items may vary after microwave use, we recommend to carefully handle any piece.

Microwaving will not cause damage to the Italian ceramics, but the microwave may cause  "crazing" of the item’s glaze, which will appear as tiny cracks. Please note, the crazing will not cause any effects on the safety or stability of the item.

Dishwasher Safe

Our Italian ceramic dinnerware, mugs and any tabletop products are electric dishwasher safe, unless otherwise noted. However, for the longevity of your piece we recommend hand washing. If utilizing the dishwasher, it is recommended to place the ceramics far apart to avoid touching each other during the high-pressure dishwashing.

Stains

For tough stains, never use scouring powders or harsh scourers as they will damage the glaze. For easy cleanup, fill sink with soapy water, let it soak, for a few moments, and use a plastic scrubber to remove grime.

To remove tea & coffee stains in cups & mugs, mix a solution of 2 tablespoons chlorine bleach per quart of water; soak 1-2 minutes; rinse promptly.

Dinnerware Thermal Shock and Cracking

Earthenware by nature is sensitive to extreme temperatures such as boiling or freezing liquids, therefore pour hot liquids into your plates or cups, slowly to avoid sudden temperature changes that may crack your ceramic piece.

Crazing: The crazing effect

With repeated use or with temperature and humidity change, earthenware ceramics have a tendency to "craze" (forming minuscule hairline cracks in the glazing).
The crazing is the nature of earthenware, and has no significant effect on the ceramics, and sometimes it is a much sought after effect.
Crazing may appear several days or even years after production and is caused by the thermal expansions of glaze and ceramic body that expand slightly on heating and contract on cooling as the glaze "stretches" on the ware and cracks.

Caring for Italian Ceramic Garden Planters

Our authentic Home & Garden Deruta and Tuscan pottery products, such as planters, cachepots, and jardinières, are suitable for outdoor use.

HEAT: The hand-painted designs, colors, and glazing are guaranteed to remain unchanged under any conditions, including extreme heat and continuous exposure to sunlight.

COLD: These vases are "cold" resistant, but they will not withstand "freezing" temperatures!

In severe winter areas where temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, these vases MUST be brought indoors to prevent glaze damage and clay cracking.

Ceramic Tiles Use

Our Italian ceramic decorative tiles are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

The tiles are NOT suitable for flooring.

The San Donato Tiles and Mattonelle are NOT recommended for bathroom shower or tub areas or pools due to their more porous nature.

HEAT: The hand-painted designs, colors, and glazing are guaranteed to remain unchanged under any conditions, including extreme heat and continuous exposure to sunlight.

COLD: These tiles are "cold" resistant, but they will not withstand "freezing" temperatures! We DO NOT recommend outdoor use in climates where the temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These cold temperatures will cause glaze damage and clay cracking.