HOW DO I USE & TAKE CARE OF MY WOODENWARE?

  1. Our woodenware is made to be used everyday. It will develop a patina over time like a well-loved cutting board. With proper care it should last for years. 

  2. Woodenware is suitable for both hot and cold foods. 

  3. Hand wash your item in warm soapy water, rinse, and dry in a dish rack upside down. Do not soak or put in a dishwasher.

  4. Wooden items may retain flavors so keep your coffee cup separate from your wine cup.

  5. Much of our woodenware is finished with non-toxic milk paint and food grade oil/wax that hardens and cures, thereby protecting the wood. If the surface looks dry after months or more of regular use, you can re-oil it. Simply wipe down with flax, walnut, or mineral oil, let sit for a few minutes then wipe off the excess and air dry.

  6. Some of our products are finished with HASSUI CERAMIC glass coating. It leaves a nearly invisible thin layer of glass just under the surface of the wood, thereby protecting it from stains and oils. Hand wash and air dry as normal.

  7. Wood is alive and moves when moisture fluctuates in the environment. To maintain stability in the long term, avoid extreme changes in moisture and use your woodenware daily. If you live in a desert climate or have dry winters take care that your woodenware maintains an average humidity. 

  8. Do not pour boiling water into a dry cup or bowl.

  9. Some white bloom may occur on milk painted items due to its mineral content. Rub with oil and the spots should fade.

  10. Do not use abrasives on lacquered or milk painted surfaces.

  11. Each wooden item is unique. Axe marks, variations in grain, color, and shape are normal signs of a handmade object.

  12. On rare occasions, there can be anomalies in the wood beyond our control. Please see below for further information on exchanges or returns.

SPECIAL CARE OF WOODEN CUPS

  1. Please “break in” your cup/mug in order to acclimate it to the humidity of your home environment. Once or twice a day rinse the cup inside and out with tap water, then air dry. After a few days it should be ready to use for hot/cold liquids.

  2. Do not let liquids sit in cup overnight or for more than a few hours. Do not leave cup soaking in water.

  3. On rare occasions, there can be anomalies in the wood beyond our control. Please see below for further information on exchanges or returns.

REPLACEMENTs/RETURNS/exchanges

If your woodenware develops a crack or leak that makes it unusable within the first two weeks of purchase/delivery we will replace it. Please send a photo with your replacement request. Between two weeks and six months we can offer you 50% of the value of your woodenware toward a future purchase, except for items marked FINAL SALE. If you are unsatisfied with any wooden item or textile, you may return it in good condition within two weeks of purchase/delivery for a refund. Shipping and return shipping will not be refunded. HASSUI CERAMIC and tool sales are final. Please send us an email to begin the replacement/return process.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ORDER?

In stock items are packed and shipped within a week of ordering. If you ordered a “made-to-order” item please allow 4-6 weeks delivery unless otherwise noted in the item description. Special orders have varying ship dates, refer to your correspondence for details. If we are traveling, you will be notified that your order’s shipment may be delayed.

SHIPPING

Items ship USPS Priority Mail within the US and USPS First Class Mail International everywhere else within one week of purchase, unless otherwise noted. Hassui Ceramic is shipped UPS Ground to US addresses only (no PO Boxes allowed.) Please refer to descriptions which note specific shipping timelines for made-to-order and special items. Customers receive an email with a tracking number when the item is shipped. We are not responsible for VAT or other charges that may affect international customers. Estimating shipping can be tricky. Please be assured that if you are over charged $5 or more on shipping, we will refund you the excess. Shipping costs include handling fees. Ashland, WI locals can choose LOCAL PICK-UP under Order Options on Step 2 of checkout to avoid shipping fees.

 

A NOTE ABOUT URUSHI LACQUER Finish

Urushi Lacquer has been used for thousands of years in Asia. It may be the strongest most durable natural finish on the planet. It is resistant to high temperatures, strong acids, alcohol, and prevents mold and mildew. Urushi lacquer comes from the sap of the Urushi tree, in the same family as poison oak and ivy. Once cured the lacquer is inert, however, in rare cases a sensitive person may develop a mild rash from this finish. People who are sensitive to urushiol should use caution. We received instruction in the application and curing of urushi lacquer from Madoka Kutsuwa in Japan.

This article from urushinoippo.com is meant to encourage children’s use of lacquerware and explains the process of making urushi and the cultural significance of lacquerware in Japan.

Care for Lacquerware:

  1. Do not pour boiling water in lacquerware.

  2. Do not leave lacquerware soaking in water.

  3. Wash by hand with a soft sponge. Hot water and soap are fine.

  4. Metal utensils will scratch the lacquer surface.

  5. Avoid placing lacquerware in direct sunlight.

  6. If you mind the smell of Urushi, leave lacquerware in a well ventilated place for one month.