Handcrafted pieces ask for a little more than mass-produced ones, and give a good deal more back. Cotton knotted by hand, ceramic glazed in small batches, marble cut from natural stone, cutlery finished in warm gold each wants slightly different care. This guide covers the whole Home edit in one place, so a soft sofa and a good table stay that way. For clothing, see our companion guide to caring for ethnic wear.
If you are deciding how ceramic, marble and table accents should sit together before caring for them, see our guide to styling an Indian dining table.
Cotton cushion covers: macramé and tufted
The Chandni Macramé and Jaali Tufted covers are handmade cotton, so treat them gently. Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, do not wring, reshape the knots and tufting while damp, and dry flat in the shade direct sun can yellow ivory over time. Skip the tumble dryer, which distorts texture, and iron only the plain back on a cool setting. Take the covers off before washing (both have a concealed zip) and wash them on their own so nothing catches the fringe or tassels.
Glazed ceramic: cups, plates and bowls
Our ceramic, the Saanjh Cups, Heritage Blue Plates, Coastal Bloom Plates and Tulsi Green Bowls is glazed and hard-wearing. Most pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe; the hand-painted cups stay brightest hand-washed. Avoid abrasive scouring pads, which dull any glaze, and do not shock the ceramic with sudden temperature changes. Small shifts in glaze tone are part of small-batch making, not wear.
Natural marble: coasters and tray
The Table Companions coasters and the Quiet Table Marble Tray are cut from natural stone. Marble is porous, so wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry this keeps the polish best. They are dishwasher safe, but acids matter most: wipe up lime, vinegar, wine or citrus promptly, as they can etch a dull mark if left to sit. A little veining and tonal variation is the stone itself, not a flaw.
Gold-tone cutlery
The Zari Gold Dessert Spoons are stainless steel with a warm gold-tone finish. Unlike the ceramics, these are not for the dishwasher. Hand wash with a soft cloth, dry immediately, and avoid abrasive scrubs and long acidic soaks. Store them where they are not knocking against harder metal, and the finish stays bright for years.
The general rule
Handmade things last longest when they are used often and cleaned gently. Nothing here needs babying, a damp cloth over the marble, a hand wash for the gold and the covers, and a little attention to acids and abrasives. It is the same principle that runs through everything we make, which we wrote about in Made Slowly, Made to Last.
Frequently asked questions
Can I machine wash a macramé or tufted cushion cover?
Hand washing in cold water is best. A machine, even on a gentle cycle, can pull the knots and tufting out of shape and fray the fringe. Reshape while damp and dry flat.
Are the ceramic pieces dishwasher and microwave safe?
Most are, including the Tulsi bowls and the pasta and quarter plates. Hand-painted cups last longest hand-washed. Always avoid abrasive scouring and sudden temperature shocks.
How do I clean marble coasters and trays?
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry to preserve the polish. They are dishwasher safe, but wipe up acidic spills such as lime, vinegar or wine quickly, as acids can etch marble if left to sit.
Can gold-tone spoons go in the dishwasher?
No, hand wash only. Dishwasher heat and detergent wear down a plated finish. Wash gently, dry immediately, and they keep their shine.
Why do two of the same piece look slightly different?
Because they are handmade. Reactive glaze pools differently each firing, marble veins uniquely, and hand-knotting varies in tension. That variation is the mark of a made object, no two are exactly alike.
Keep the Home edit beautiful for years. Browse the full Home collection, and if you are setting a table, read how to set an Indian dessert table or how to style textured cushion covers.