How To Clean Antique Stoneware Jugs

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Antique stoneware crocks once played an integral role in kitchens by allowing foods like butter to be stored and pickled vegetables to be made in watertight containers before the invention of refrigeration. Today, antique crocks are a decorative collectors item loved by many. With a few tips, you can identify your antique crock to learn more about its history and value.

Remove layers of dirt and grime by soaking the stoneware in a mixture of 1 cup ammonia and 2 gallons of hot water. Allow the piece to soak for 24 hours, then scrub lightly with a soft-bristled brush. Remove pencil marks or remnants of silver and other plating with metal polish or a simple pencil eraser.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Soft cloths
  • Small soft brush
  • Orvus or other mild liquid soap

    • How to Remove Hard Water Deposits

    The best way to remove hard water deposits is with vinegar. Fill the inside of the piece with vinegar (or if there are deposits on the outside, submerge the whole thing) and let it soak. How long the piece needs to soak will depend on the severity of the build up. Many deposits can be gotten rid of with a soak of 30 minutes to a few hours. Some might take days. Loosely scrub the deposits with a clean white cloth every so often. Soak until the deposits are gone. Dump the vinegar and rinse with soft or distilled water.

    WD-40 works well for removing stickers or sticky things. Spray the WD-40 directly onto the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the adhesive. Then wipe away the mess using a clean white cloth.

    Crazing stains are caused by seepage through tiny cracks in the glazing of a pottery piece. Hydrogen peroxide can be used on these stains. You can also use 40% peroxide, often found at beauty supply stores and stronger than regular hydrogen peroxide.

    Fill a container large enough to accommodate the piece with hydrogen peroxide. (Darker containers that will not let in light are recommended; light hastens the breakdown of peroxide.) Submerge the piece. Some people have needed to soak their pottery for weeks, so be patient.

    Do not use chlorine bleach to clean antique pottery. It will cause the glaze to flake and destroy your pottery.

    How to Identify the Design of a Crock

    Antique crocks were made by hand, so the design on the crock should be rather crude, or something that could easily be made by hand.

  • Really old designs were etched into the clay, then filled in with something like a cobalt blue color.
  • Birds, trees, and flowers were common designs on early crocks.
  • Take the crock outside or use a flashlight to look at the design closely in a different light to see the details.

    • FAQ

    How do you clean antique stoneware?

    Early American Stoneware: 18th Century Tupperware

    Stoneware was used for anything we might use glass jars or tupperware for today. It held everything from water, soda, and beer to meat, grain, jelly, and pickled vegetables, and was produced in a very wide variety of forms.

    What were antique stoneware jugs used for?

    Soak the pottery in soap and water.

    Fill your container with warm water and add mild dishwashing detergent. Submerge your pottery for just a few seconds. Clean any problem areas with a soft washcloth or a soft brush.

    How do you clean a ceramic jug?

    To clean china cups and plates, use a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Just rub it on with a damp cloth and rinse. Wash china in water that’s warm, not hot. Water that is too hot can lead to crazing—small lines and cracks in the glaze.

    How do I clean my vintage crockery?

    To clean china cups and plates, use a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Just rub it on with a damp cloth and rinse. Wash china in water that’s warm, not hot. Water that is too hot can lead to crazing—small lines and cracks in the glaze.