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Sink Materials - Clay

Clay is one of the oldest materials used for sinks. All clay based sinks can be chipped and broken if abused. Avoid dropping hard or sharp items into them. With reasonable care, these sinks should retain their beauty for many years.
Earthenware
Earthenware is a clay body that tends to be very porous. It is generally decoratively painted and glazed. It is the base material used for Fireclay and Vitreous China sinks, lavatories and toilets.

Earthenware develops a crackle finish over time. This was orginally considered a flaw in the material but is now a much sought-after look in period restorations. China and cast iron largely replaced earthenware by the turn of the century, since neither is as prone to cracking as earthenware.

Fireclay/Ceramic
Fireclay, sometimes called ceramic, became extremely popular in the 1800’s. Similar in composition to vitreous china, this material offers a smooth, non-porous surface that won’t rust, fade or discolor.

Fireclay is used to create kitchen and bathroom sinks and lavatories. The most common style, the Belfast, has a deep, square or rectangular bowl. These sinks can be plain, sculpted, or hand-painted to produce a variety of old world, farmhouse and contemporary looks.

While they look delicate, their hard hard non porous surfaces offer excellent resistance to all commonly used chemicals and detergents.

Maintenance and Care
Clean the outside of fireclay sinks with mild soap and warm water. Wipe the entire surface dry with a dry, clean, soft cloth. If the sink gets dirty, it can be cleaned with any general purpose cleaner.

Vitreous China
This material is commonly used on bathroom sinks and toilets. It is an earthenware product, cast and glazed and fired at high temperature to form a high gloss, stain-resistant surface. It is very durable and has a smooth, easy-to-clean finish. It is offered in a rainbow of colors, as well as in hand painted, etched, hammered, matte, and carved finishes. Vitreous China is easily cleaned with any mild household cleaner.

Never pour boiling water into a china sink, and be careful not to drop heavy objects in them because they are fragile.

Maintenance and Care
If you live in a hard water area, frequent cleaning is recommended. Use of a mild cleanser will maintain the glossy finish. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.