We sometimes get a call or email from someone afraid that the glaze is wearing off her fountain. It is becoming white all over, the color is dull and the luster is gone. We quickly reassure her the glaze is not deteriorating.
That white is mineral deposits, specifically calcium, that is in hard water and settles out onto the fountain. It adheres fairly well so can be quite concerning. Unless you have ‘soft’ water or a filtration system you will get these deposits. However, it can be cleaned off fairly easily and the glaze is in no danger.
The Glaze Is Part Of the Ceramics
Glaze is not a coating like paint. After application the glazed piece is fired to about 2300ºF. It penetrates into the clay and becomes part of it. It can’t wear off. It is possible to dull the sheen through overly aggressive cleaning but that is never necessary with a ThirstyCat fountain and to our knowledge, doesn’t happen.
Vinegar & Salt Solution
A solution of one tablespoon of salt to one cup of white vinegar creates a mild acid which when used with a soft scrubby is all that is needed to eliminate the minerals. The fountain in the image above, left, was just taken out of the upper shelf of the dishwasher, the calcium deposits unaffected. This is a pretty severe coating of minerals as the fountain had not been cleaned with the solution in several months.
After about five minutes of scrubbing with the scrubby and the solution we have the same fountain shown on the right, and below back in place and up and running.
