Care and Use

Ceramics

From its humble beginnings in Aurora, MacKenzie-Childs ceramic pottery has held a special place in our hearts. We take pride in sharing this unique artisanal craft with you. Since 1983, we’ve been crafting pottery right here, from design to final quality check. Our products are shipped from Aurora to destinations across the country and worldwide.

Our functional art pieces are created using traditional techniques: hand-trimmed, fired, glazed, decorated, and fired again. This meticulous process ensures that each piece is as unique as the wildflowers in our meadows.

Hand-painted with care, no two pieces are exactly alike. Our pottery decorators mix their own colors, resulting in subtle variations. You’ll notice the artisan’s touch in the brush strokes. The signature red clay used in our Aurora studio pottery gives each piece its own delightful character.

In the final piece, you may observe tiny pinholes or white spots, characteristic of majolica pottery. These imperfections add to the charm and personality of each piece.

At every stage of production, our artisans leave their mark, along with the studio mark and date of manufacture. Flip over each ceramic piece to discover the stamps of the artisans who contributed to its creation.

The signature red clay used in all our Aurora studio pottery exudes its own unique charm and personality.

Ceramic Pottery Care and Use

  • Our clay body, glaze, stains, decals, and lustres are formulated to ensure that all of our pottery collections are completely food safe. All MacKenzie-Childs ceramics meet all FDA and California Article 65 standards and requirements for lead and cadmium release.
  • Bisque (unglazed) ceramic, when scuffed or soiled, may be gently sanded with fine sandpaper and smoothed over with a damp, soft cloth. Because the red clay foot of each piece is unglazed, be sure to dry completely before placing on wood surfaces, as the moisture in the clay can cause damage to wood.
  • Taylor and Piccadilly pottery, when starting at room temperature, can be used in the microwave and oven. It is best to place a dish in a cool oven. Placing cool dishes in a hot oven can cause the glaze to crack over time. Oven temperature should not exceed 375°F. We do not recommend using any pieces that are cracked or chipped. These glazed ceramic pieces are dishwasher safe, but hand-washing and drying with soap and water will extend the life and lustre of the finish.
  • Courtly Check® and any other patterns that have lustre, decals or special embellishments require hand-washing. To preserve the finish, items with lustre, decals or special embellishments should not be used in the freezer, microwave or oven.
  • Knife marks left on majolica plates may be gently removed with Soft Scrub, Bon Ami or other mild abrasive cleaners.
  • Avoid use over or under direct concentrated heat. Do not use on the stovetop or under a broiler.
  • In order to ensure even heating, add a small amount of liquid to the dish before baking foods that release juices while cooking. Do not add cold liquids to hot dishes.
  • Always handle hot dishes with pot holders and avoid placing on cold or wet surfaces.
  • Allow dishes to cool completely before washing. To loosen baked-on food, soak cooled dishes, and use plastic or nylon pads and nonabrasive cleaners when necessary.
  • Empty and dry ceramic garden containers for indoor winter storage. We recommend storing these at 40 degrees or above during the winter.

Enamelware

Enamelware once brought to mind cowboys drinking bitter coffee on the open range, but we’ve turned that idea on its head, making colorful, fun, and richly patterned enamelware part of everyday living—no campfire required.

After developing our first designs in 1995, and unable to find a manufacturer in the U.S., we traveled to Taiwan and found a production company that was able to work with us to see our vision fulfilled, and that’s where our very first pieces were produced. Our designers continue to train the artisans in partner companies in several countries in the complex, color-dragged hand-painting techniques specific to our enamelware.

Creating enamelware is time-honored and time-consuming process. The production facilities are modern, but many of the techniques developed by the ancient Egyptians—enamelware has been around for that long—are still in use. Raw steel bodies are machine-milled or hand-formed, glazed, and then kiln fired at temperatures of more than 1,380 degrees Fahrenheit. Each piece is coated again with a colored frit-based glaze and refired.

Our check patterns — Courtly, Parchment, Royal, and Sterling — are hand-painted using colored frits that fuse to the base coat during firing. Decals used in other patterns are hand-applied after the second glaze firing. These decals fuse to the base coat during the next firing, becoming a permanent layer in the design. Minor surface irregularities are a normal result of metalworking and the hand application of the enamel surface and decoration. After the designs have been applied and fired, a final cover coat is added, and pieces are fired once again to ensure that all enamelware is completely food safe.

Enamelware Care and Use

Please take care with your enamelware—while the surface is strong and durable, it’s not indestructible. Rough handling, banging or dropping a piece may cause the glazed glass surface to chip. As with any enamel product, some scratching and dulling of the surface is likely to occur over time.

Our enamelware exceeds both federal food safety regulations and California’s Proposition 65, the strictest environmental safety standards in the U.S. Handle enamelware with care, and discontinue use for food service if it becomes chipped, cracked, or broken.

  • While most enamelware pieces are dishwasher safe (except those with rattan, wood or knobs), hand-washing and drying will extend the life and lustre of the finish.
  • When washing, use a nonabrasive soap and sponge or nylon pad only. Dry immediately for best results.
  • If marking from silverware should occur, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the area, and rub gently to remove marks. Avoid using sharp knives on enamelware, as they may damage the finish.
  • To remove burnt-on food, use a nylon-covered pad or wooden scraper, or loosen with a solution of baking soda and water.
  • Do not boil tea kettles dry, as this will result in damage to the finish. Boiling the kettle dry may also damage your cooktop.
  • If water is allowed to remain in tea kettles, rusting may occur. To remove rust stains and mineral deposits, fill the kettle with water and add two tablespoons of baking soda and the juice of one half a lemon. Boil for four to five minutes. Rinse and dry.
  • Pieces that do not have rattan, wood, knobs, or other embellishments may be used in an oven, up to a maximum temperature of 400 degrees. Be sure the piece is at room temperature before it is placed in a warm oven.
  • Do not use enamelware in a microwave oven.
  • Wash thoroughly before use.
  • If food surfaces become chipped, discontinue use.
  • Acidic food may dull the surface of the enamel but will not otherwise damage it.

Cookware

MacKenzie-Childs cookware is composed of a heavyweight steel underbody, glazed twice, then hand decorated with our signature designs. Bronzed stainless steel rims are added to both the body and the lid, and 18/10 stainless steel knobs and handles are added to finish each piece. The enamel finish is stain- and chip-resistant.

Cookware Care and Use

  • Our cookware is designed for use on all cooktops including ceramic, gas, electric, induction, and radiant, and is oven-safe to 400 degrees.
  • Glazes and paints used to create MacKenzie-Childs cookware are formulated from ground glass. Please take care during use, as dropping or banging pieces may result in chipping.
  • For best results, use utensils designed for use with non-stick finishes, as metal utensils may leave grey marks on the finish.
  • Do not place an empty pan over a hot burner or allow contents to boil dry.
  • Place pots on the center of the burner or flame to ensure even heating.
  • Use a potholder or glove when handling hot ware.
  • Allow pots to cool before running under water or refilling.
  • Wash in warm sudsy water with a soft cloth, sponge or nylon pad; rinse well and towel dry. Do not use metal scouring pads, as this will scratch the surface of the enamel.
  • To clean burned-on foods, add water and baking soda; boil and allow to cool before cleaning. If metal marking occurs, it may be removed by rubbing gently with a paste of baking soda and water.
  • Acidic food may dull the surface of the enamel but will not otherwise damage it.

Glassware

Our richly detailed glassware designs and patterns are sure to be the life of the party and can turn ordinary dinners into true celebrations. And why shouldn’t every day be at least a little bit fanciful, festive, and fun? From wine glasses to highball glasses, our designs are inspired by the world around us. We start by looking right outside our studio windows where we see flowering meadows, rolling hills, and sparkling Cayuga Lake. To translate our design imagination into high quality and uniquely MacKenzie-Childs glass, we work with the best production partners in the world.

Glassware Care and Use

  • Hand-painted glass should always be washed by hand, with a sponge or soft cloth, mild detergent, and warm (not hot) water.
  • Glass with lustre embellishments (along the rim or elsewhere) should not come into prolonged contact with acidic foods such as lemons.

Furniture

Witty. Surprising. Fun. Fresh. Outlandish. Hard to define. Our furniture has been called it all. One adjective we seem to agree on to describe MacKenzie-Childs furniture: Unique.

We draw design inspiration from just outside our door in Aurora (where we look out onto 65 acres of field and farm, squabbling geese, placid Highland cattle, sheep and lambs, ever-changing gardens, and sparkling, clear Cayuga Lake), and also from the wider world around us. Perhaps nowhere does our imagination run freer—or manufacturing become more complex—than in furniture, which we produce in a variety of locations to best suit our design and engineering requirements. To translate our design fantasies into MacKenzie-Childs products, we seek out the best production partners in the world. Often, happily, these are right here in our Aurora studio. Sometimes, we go farther afield in the U.S. or to other countries to find the best-in-class manufacturers to bring our designs to life.

To get an idea of what kind of furniture we make where, here are a few examples:

  • Aurora Artisanal: Truly a team effort, the Preposterous Bench is handcrafted top-to-toe here in Aurora. The hardwood frame is created in our wood shop; hand-painted by our artisans with faux marbling, checks, and dots; and embellished with gold leaf, wallpapers, and a sassy sash of handmade glass beaded fringe. The cushion on top is created locally, and the four majolica legs that support it are formed, fired, glazed, and decorated in our Aurora studio.
  • Upholstered Furniture: For this collection, we found a furniture studio factory in North Carolina that specializes in upholstered furniture and has a long tradition of outstanding quality. They also have a tremendous interest in the preservation of the environment. Working with our designs and proprietary fabrics, our partner takes much care and attention to detail in the creation of each chair: The frames are made from selected hardwoods from sustainable forests and constructed using joints that are double-doweled and blocked on every corner, or use a mortise-and-tenon construction. Each handcrafted, bench-made piece features eight-way, hand-tied coil construction and seat cushions that are made from soy-based foam. The skill and technology used ensure that each Underpinnings piece will have lasting quality to be enjoyed now and well into future generations.
  • Outdoor Furniture: A fanciful design featuring intricate weaving patterns, complex shapes, and incorporation of enamelware accents, our outdoor rattan was a design idea in need of experienced weavers. Our search ended with a well-established manufacturer in the Philippines, that was also skilled in the production of the detailed metal frames in the collection. Synthetic wicker requires less preparation and production time than natural fiber wicker, so productivity is higher and weavers earn more money than they would if weaving natural fibers.

Furniture Care and Use

  • All furniture should be cleaned carefully to protect the life of the finish.
  • Beaded fringe may be gently cleaned with a cloth dampened with glass cleaner.
  • Brass feet, finials, buttons, and banding may be polished with metal polish and a soft cloth, or left to naturally patina with age.
  • Cloth fringe and tassels may be gently vacuumed and steamed.
  • Gold paint may be dusted with a feather duster, or gently washed with a soft cloth and mild soap.
  • Knobs naturally loosen over time. Make them snug again with a screwdriver. Inserts (brass grommets) may be reapplied with a two-part epoxy if necessary.
  • Linoleum tile tabletops will shine when waxed with paste wax and buffed with a soft cloth.
  • Painted wood has several layers of varnish and may be cleaned with a soft cloth, dampened with water and mild soap.
  • Pillows may be unzipped or unbuttoned to remove the cushion inserts. Dry clean the covers and let the pillow/mat freshen outdoors.
  • Ribbon may be vacuumed in place and steamed or removed and washed in mild soapy water. Any ribbons used on Mackenzie-Childs products may be ironed.
  • Upholstered fabrics may be gently vacuumed and should be professionally cleaned periodically.
  • Wallpaper has many layers of varnish and may be cleaned with a soft cloth dampened with mild soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
  • Woven rattan may be vacuumed and cleaned with a soft, damp cloth and Murphy’s Oil Soap.

Lighting

Lighting Care and Use

  • Be sure that the light bulb used does not exceed the recommended wattage for your lamp.
  • Clean ceramic areas gently with mild soap and water, using a soft cloth or sponge and no harsh abrasives. Products with decals, lustre paint, and gold trim should be gently hand-washed. Wood surfaces that have lacquer or varnish coatings may be hand cleaned with a soft, damp cloth.
  • Fabric and paper shades may be gently cleaned with a soft, dry cloth.

Rugs

Sisal Rugs Care and Use

  • Recommended for indoor use only. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
  • Vacuum regularly using the vacuum’s brushless attachment to maintain best appearance. For liquid stains, blot with an unbleached clean cotton cloth. For hard-to-remove stains, professional cleaning is suggested.
  • Use of a rug pad is also suggested.

Washable Rugs Care and Use

Machine wash in cold water on delicate cycle, use mild non-bleach detergent. You may choose to add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your detergent to help neutralize pet odors. Line dry or dry flat. Do not tumble dry. Do not dry clean. Do not Iron. Vacuum regularly to preserve original sheen. The use of an Anti-Slip Rug Pad or underlay is highly recommended. Rotate the rug regularly to avoid areas of uneven wear. Use rug protectors under legs of heavy furniture. Do not pull loose ends; clip with scissors. Color fading can occur if exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time.

Wool Rugs Care and Use

Your choice of wool carpet from MacKenzie-Childs is an investment in beauty, practicality, and ease of maintenance. Ensure your wool carpet will last longer and look better by following the three basic rules of carpet maintenance:

  • Vacuum regularly.
  • Remove spills immediately.
  • Professionally clean as required (usually no more than once every year or two).

The most important maintenance step is proper vacuuming. Regular and thorough vacuuming at least once a week and more often in heavy traffic areas will remove soil and dirt particles before they become embedded into the pile of the carpet. An upright vacuum cleaner with rotating beater bar and brush, or canister type with a power head, are the most efficient cleaners. The head of the vacuum cleaner should be adjusted so that the brushes barely touch the surface of the carpet. The easiest way to do this is to place a sheet of paper under the vacuum and adjust it until you hear the beater bar hitting the paper. It is important to remember to move the vacuum cleaner slowly to allow time to remove soil, and above all, make sure that the dust bag is never more than half full. Remember that you cannot over-vacuum, and vacuuming should begin the day the carpet is installed.

One of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance is the removal of spots and spills. Acting quickly when anything is dropped or spilled, and always having the necessary cleaning materials on hand, are of the utmost importance. Steps for successful spot removal:

  • Blot spills with white paper towels or clean absorbent cloth. Scoop solids with a knife or spoon.
  • Pretest spot-removal materials in an inconspicuous area.
  • Apply cleaning agent to an absorbent towel—not the carpet—and blot.
  • Do not over-wet the carpet.
  • Work inward from the edge of the spot to prevent excessive spreading.
  • Rinse by applying clear, tepid water using a clean cloth. Again, work from the edge to the center. Do not rub and do not over-wet.
  • Remove excess moisture by applying pressure with paper towels or absorbent cloth.
  • To dry: apply a ½” thick layer of paper towels over the wet areas and weigh them down. Change as the towels become wet. Brush the pile with your fingers to restore the texture after the area has dried.

If you’ve taken care to vacuum your carpet as recommended, you may not need to clean your carpet for several years. However, when the carpet does start to look soiled, we would strongly recommend having it professionally cleaned by the dry foam, dry extraction or spray extraction methods.

Color fading can occur if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. Rotate the rug once a year for even wear. Use rug protectors under legs of heavy furniture to avoid flattening piles. Do not pull loose ends; clip with scissors. Use of an antiskid pad is recommended.

Entrance Mats Care and Use

  • To reduce fading, do not place in direct sunlight or expose to water.
  • Shedding is normal during first month of use. During this period, simply brush or shake the mat to maintain its appearance.

Outdoor

Outdoor Pillow Care and Use

Weather or Not pillows

Our Weather or Not Outdoor Pillows are made of quality fabrics treated with a water-resistant finish that also resists fading from sunlight. To keep them looking good, we recommend:

  • Store in a dry, covered area when not in use and during the hottest hours of the day.
  • Spot-clean with a damp, white cloth. Blot to remove excess water. Air dry.
  • If a pillow does become saturated, place seam-side down to drain. Remove zippered cover and allow it and the pillow insert to dry thoroughly before using.

Applicable items:

  • Poppy Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-022)
  • Sanibel Arches Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-024)
  • Sanibel Stripe Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-023)
  • Toucan Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-016)
  • Zanzibar Leaf Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-017)
  • Lobster Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-019)
  • Crab Outdoor Accent Pillow (75708-020)