Pottery Studio Cleaning Checklist (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
A clean studio is a safer, nicer and more welcoming one. It also protects equipment and keeps dust levels down. This checklist splits the work into daily, weekly and monthly tasks, so no one person carries all of it.
Why wet cleaning matters
Dry clay and glaze dust can contain fine particles you should not breathe in. Sweeping and dry dusting put it back in the air.
- Clean with damp sponges and mops.
- Avoid dry sweeping and compressed air.
- Wipe, don't blow.
For more on this, read silica dust and pottery studio safety. This post gives general guidance. Check local rules and speak to a safety professional about your space.
Daily tasks
- Wipe wheels, splash pans and tables with a damp sponge
- Wash tools and rinse buckets
- Mop the floor, wet
- Put clay scraps in the reclaim bucket
- Cover and store clay properly
- Empty the sink trap or catch basin if needed
- Check that the kiln is off and the room is closed
Weekly tasks
- Wash aprons and towels
- Clean the glaze area and wipe the shelves
- Clean the sinks and the drain trap
- Wash the wedging tables
- Wipe down shared tools
- Check supplies and restock
Monthly tasks
- Deep clean the floors and corners
- Clean or replace the sponges and bats
- Wash the windows and door handles
- Check air filters or ventilation, if you have them
- Review the reclaim system
- Reorganize the shelves and remove clutter
Printable checklist
| Task | Frequency | Done by | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wipe wheels and splash pans | Daily | ||
| Wet-mop floor | Daily | ||
| Wash tools | Daily | ||
| Clean sinks and trap | Weekly | ||
| Wash aprons and towels | Weekly | ||
| Clean glaze area | Weekly | ||
| Deep clean floors | Monthly | ||
| Check ventilation | Monthly |
Share the work fairly
- Build cleanup into every class and open studio session. See studio etiquette and cleanup.
- Create a rota for weekly and monthly tasks.
- Offer a small credit or discount for members who take on bigger jobs.
- Rotate tasks so nobody is stuck with the worst one.
- Walk new members through your expectations on day one.
Make it visible
Put the checklist on the wall. Take a photo at closing time. A simple culture of "leave it better than you found it" is the most effective cleaning policy there is.
Want this in your studio?
Claybook handles this for your studio: a rota and chore list for members, with reminders and a record of who did what.
Tell us how you run things today and we will tailor it to your studio. See everything we offer studios.