Cleaning Procedure

Cleaning Procedure

Keeping the Studio clean is part of your Membership and is required every time you attend a Drop In or Class.

Proper cleaning helps reduce silica exposure, protects our plumbing and equipment, keeps Membership fees affordable, and allows Gabrielle to focus on kiln loading, maintenance, firing, and supporting Members rather than cleaning after each session.

Please be mindful of water use throughout your clean up.

Do not rinse clay directly down the drain.

When to Begin

Clean up begins 30 minutes before the end of your Drop In or Class.

Session Clean Up Begins
10:00am Drop In 12:30pm
11:00am Drop In 1:30pm
2:00pm Drop In 4:30pm
2:30pm Drop In 5:00pm
6:00pm Drop In 8:30pm

You must complete your cleaning, check out with the Supervisor, collect your belongings, and exit the Studio by the scheduled end of your session.

Late departures may result in fees or review of Membership privileges.

Before You Begin

Throughout clean up:

  • Clean your own workspace before helping others or completing your additional cleaning task.

  • Use your throwing water whenever possible.

  • Do not get additional bowls of water for cleaning.

  • Avoid creating lineups at the sink. If someone is already waiting, return to your workspace and complete another cleaning task before coming back.

  • The goal is to remove clay, not make everything look spotless. Streaky is acceptable. Clay chunks are not.

Step 1: Clean Your Workspace

Wheel Users

Before cleaning:

  • Wipe your hands, tools, and wheel directly into your throwing bowl to remove as much clay as possible.

  • Use your throwing water to clean your wheel and splash pans.

  • Do not get additional bowls of water for cleaning.

If your water or sponge become too dirty to use:

  • Refresh it using the water already in the bucket at the sink.

  • Use this water for a final wipe if needed.

Please do not rinse splash pans under running water. Using the water in the sink bucket is acceptable if needed, please clean up early if you wish to do this so you do not create line ups.

The wheel and splash pans do not need to look spotless. Streaky is fine. No chunks.

Studio Tables

Large working ware boards are available on top of the shelf and are made from the same material as the tables. Please use these for cutting, wedging, or drying wet clay rather than working directly on the Studio tables.

Before emptying your throwing water, use it to wipe down the table.

Do not brush clay crumbs onto the floor.

Prolonged moisture, cutting, vigorous scraping, or scrubbing damages the table surface. Replacement is no longer possible because the mill that manufactured these tables is no longer in business.

Handbuilders

Remove all clay chunks and crusty clay from your table.

A few streaks are completely acceptable.

Use the large ware boards for cutting, wedging, or drying clay whenever possible rather than working directly on the table.

Do not brush clay crumbs onto the floor.

Please avoid vigorous scraping or scrubbing, as this damages the table surface. Replacement is no longer possible because the mill that manufactured these tables is no longer in business.

Step 2: Empty Your Water Bowl

Pour your throwing water into the sediment bucket located in front of the sink.

The sediment bucket allows the clay to settle before the water is disposed of, helping protect the Studio plumbing.

Scrape any remaining clay from your throwing bowl into the garbage clay bowl on the stool.

Step 3: Use the Sink

The bucket in the sink is for final rinsing only.

If the bucket is empty:

  • Run water at a light drizzle to create enough water for rinsing.

If the bucket is already half full:

  • Do not run fresh water.

  • Use the water already available.

Please do not overflow the sink bucket.

Step 4: Wash Your Hands

Remove clay using the bucket water first. A sponge works well for removing stubborn clay.

Then wash your hands with soap and clean running water.

Please never allow clay to go directly into the sink.

Step 5: Sweep

Everyone must sweep around their table and any area where clay has fallen.

Wheel users should also sweep around their wheel as needed. Sweeping is mandatory if you trimmed or dropped clay onto the floor.

Please drag the broom across the floor rather than flicking it, as flicking creates airborne silica dust.

If you are sensitive to dust, wearing a mask during clean up is recommended.

Collect clay into small piles and place it into:

  • Your throwing bowl

  • The reclaim or waste clay container

  • The garbage

Sweeping must always be completed before mopping.

Step 6: Mop

Before mopping, check the mop water.

If it is cloudy or milky, change it before use.

To use the mop, place the mop head into the wringer basket and, while loosely holding the handle, press the pedal 4 to 5 times. A mop that is too wet simply pushes clay around and leaves streaks, meaning the area will need to be mopped again.

Everyone must mop around their own workspace and any path they walked to the sink if clay or water was tracked.

If you used a wheel, you must also mop:

  • From the wall to your wheel

  • The full splash zone (approximately 10 feet)

After mopping, do a final walk through of the areas you used to ensure no clay or water has been left behind.

Step 7: Complete One Additional Cleaning Task

Every Member is required to complete one additional Studio cleaning task beyond cleaning their own workspace.

Sharing these responsibilities helps keep Membership fees affordable and allows Gabrielle to focus on teaching, kiln loading, maintenance, firing, and supporting Members rather than routine cleaning.

Examples include:

Mopping

  • Front entrance

  • Area in front of the glazed item shelves

  • Centre walkway

  • Back Drop In area

  • Between member shelves

Sweeping

  • Main walkways

  • Between member shelves

  • Back hallway

Step 8: Last Person in the Studio

If you are the last person leaving the Studio, please ensure:

  • The sink has been wiped down.

  • The tray, backsplash, faucet, and handles are clean.

  • The floor in front of the sink has been mopped.

  • The mop water has been emptied through the sink sieve.

  • The mop bucket has been refilled with clean water using the green hose.

Hopefully the rest of the Studio has already been maintained throughout clean up, and only these final touch ups are needed before leaving.

Step 9: Check Out

Before leaving:

  • Ensure your workspace and additional cleaning task have been completed.

  • Let the Supervisor know you are checking out.

If the Studio has not been cleaned to the expected standard, you may be asked to complete an additional cleaning task before departing.

Thank You

Community Clay is a shared, artist run studio, and cleaning is a responsibility shared by everyone.

By taking care of your workspace and contributing to the Studio each session, you help create a safe, welcoming environment, protect our equipment, and keep Membership fees as affordable as possible.

Thank you for helping care for your Studio.