How to care for stoneware, wood and brass so they age well

Honest materials are easy to live with - they ask for a little care, not a lot. Look after them simply and they wear in gently rather than out, keeping each piece at home in your space for years. Here's the short version, material by material.

Stoneware and ceramics

Stoneware is happiest with warm water, a soft cloth and a mild soap. Wipe rather than scrub, and dry it before it goes back on the shelf. Avoid harsh abrasives, which can dull a glaze over time. If a piece holds water, empty and dry it between uses so the base stays clean. Small glaze variations and matte finishes are part of its character - they don't need "fixing".

Travertine and natural stone

Stone is porous, so its main enemy is standing liquid - especially anything oily or acidic like wine, coffee or citrus. Wipe spills promptly with a damp cloth, and use a coaster or tray under anything that might leak. Skip acidic cleaners; warm water and a soft cloth are enough. A stone piece will pick up a little life over the years, which most people come to like.

• Do - blot spills quickly, dust with a dry soft cloth.
• Don't - soak it, or leave a wet glass sitting on it overnight.

Oak and oiled wood

Wipe oak with a barely damp cloth and dry it straight away - wood doesn't like sitting water or a long soak. Keep it out of direct, all-day sun, which can lighten the tone unevenly. Once or twice a year, a thin coat of a suitable wood oil feeds the grain and brings the warmth back. Treated this way, oak deepens beautifully and only looks better with age.

Brass

Here you get a choice. Left alone, brass develops a soft patina - a warmer, quieter finish that many people prefer to the original shine. If you'd rather keep it bright, a gentle brass polish now and then brings the glow back. Either way, wipe off fingerprints with a dry cloth and keep it away from harsh chemicals. There's no wrong answer; it's about the finish you want to live with.

The quiet takeaway

None of this takes long - a soft cloth, warm water, the occasional oil or polish. A little care is really all it asks, and in return each piece stays at home in your space, wearing in gently rather than out.