Studio Etiquette: Keep The Studio Clean

Working with clay brings so much joy and creativity but it also comes with risks.

Good news? You can avoid the risks if you put in a little bit of elbow grease!

Most people don't know that a clean pottery studio isn't just for looks. We keep the studio clean because clay dust contains silica which can be really bad for your health.

It's why we always ask students to clean up after themselves and it's why KCP studios invests heavily in regularly paid cleaners. Everyone's health matters. 

Wherever you decide to take pottery lessons be sure to ask about the cleaning schedule and absolutely expect to have rules around cleaning up after yourself. If there aren't any then proceed with caution.

As a general rule, you want to be working in a studio that actively works to reduce the amount of clay dust in the air.

Best Practice for Cleaning a Pottery Studio:

Use A Damp Cloth or Sponge: Wiping and cleaning surfaces, tools, and equipment with a wet sponge means that any dust sticks to the sponge and doesn't fly into the air around you. It also makes clean up really quick and easy.

Wash Your Sponges: When you're finished cleaning remember to wash your sponge. Otherwise the wet clay will dry up and 

Allocate Time To Cleaning: When you’re throwing, remember to allocate enough time to clean the bats after use.

If you're working with clay then you can't avoid clay dust. It's just the way it is. And that's ok! But we minimize the amount we're exposed to because it's good practice and a way of respecting those around us as well as ourselves.

Let me know if you have any questions!

​- Krista