How to Clean Wedgwood Jasperware: Simple & Safe

Wedgwood Jasperware is stoneware known for its elegance and matte finish; this, along with its delicate raised designs, makes it a cherished collectible for many. But with time, dust and grime can dull its classic beauty.

Cleaning Jasperware calls for a gentle touch and the right techniques to preserve both its color and intricate detailing. In this guide, I’ll walk you through safe, effective method to keep your Wedgwood pieces looking their best—without risking damage.

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Table of Contents

History of Wedgwood Jasperware
Jasperware Vessel I Threw at the Wedgwood Museum(!)
Cleaning Supplies
Steps 1-4
Dirty & Clean Jar Compared

Thrifted Jasperware Vanity Jar

I picked up this pretty Wedgwood vanity jar at a Salvation Army thrift store recently for $3.99. Not only is the white decoration quite dirty, but the entire thing is wrapped in tape. This piece inspired me to have a go at cleaning this type of ceramic.

Little Bit of History About Wedgwood Jasperware

It would be hard to talk about Jasperware without mentioning the genius behind it, that is, Josiah Wedgwood. With a deep understanding of chemistry and physics, he not only created one of the most successful potteries in England (and the world), but he invented several new techniques, including the process which led to Jasperware, a type of unglazed stoneware pottery.

In an effort to appeal to the upper classes, Wedgwood developed a process that led to the creation of black basalt, styled after classical Greek decorative pottery.

His aim for the “Wedgwood blue” version of basalt called Jasperware, was to create “the appearance of a cameo, white bas-relief ornament on a coloured ground,” (The Genius of Wedgwood, p.52).

Other colors Jasperware comes in include pink (as seen above), green, lilac, and white.

Just over a decade ago, we lived in the English Midlands not far from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, where many English potteries are located. I had the chance to visit the Wedgwood Museum and even threw a blue jasperware pot (as seen above). Return to Table of Contents

Before We Clean

After I had cleaned my piece of jasperware, I did a google search to see what others had to say on the topic. Interestingly, I found a guy on YouTube who made it his personal goal to actually damage his jasperware. After soaking it in pure bleach and scrubbing it with a coarse brush, he determined that it was virtually impossible to injure it by these methods.

While this is all good info, I nonetheless continue to believe in using the least harsh methods for cleaning any vintage or antique item, particularly those of value.

Cleaning Wedgwood Jasperware Vanity Jar

Let’s take a look at how I went about cleaning my thrift store Jasperware (by Wedgwood).

Cleaning Supplies

• Toothbrush
• Dish soap (I used Ajax)
• Magic eraser

Return to Table of Contents

Step I: Prep the Magic Eraser

Wet your Magic Eraser and then squeeze most of the water out, leaving it just damp.

Step 2: Rub the Jasperware

Lightly rub the surface of the Jasperware with the Magic Eraser and watch the dirt and grime come off onto the sponge.

Step 3: Wash With Soap & Brush

I gave the jar a light scrubbing with Ajax and a soft toothbrush to remove any leftover bits, including pieces of sponge left behind.

You could do this step first and you might be surprised at how much dirt is removed just with soap and a brush(!).

Here you see a comparison of the dirty side on the left and the newly cleaned side on the right.

Here is the lid after cleaning its entire surface, first with the Magic Eraser and then with soap and a brush.

Step 4: Clean the Bottom of the Vanity Jar

The bottom of the jar had its share of grime as you can see in the the first photo above. The second photo shows the base after a full cleaning. Return to Table of Contents

Dirty & Clean Wedgwood Compared

Just look at the comparison between the vanity jar when I first bought it (L) and after a thorough cleaning (R)! Return to Table of Contents

Conclusion

For years I thought grimey Wedgwood was irredeemable! Seriously, I thought Jasperware was so delicate that any dirty white cameo decoration simply could not be cleaned. Now I know differently!

 

Bye for now,

Would you pin the image below to reach others who might be interested? Thx!