Pottery making is a fun and creative activity that can lead to functional tableware, vessels, sculptures and installations. But before you can get started, there are a few basic supplies you will need to purchase or rent.

The most popular clays for pottery are earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The best one for you will depend on where you will be firing your work and what type of pottery you will be creating.

Needle Tool

If you’re a clay/ceramics addict, or plan on becoming one, then it’s time to invest in the right ceramics supply tools. These essential tools will make it easier to work with your hands in a way that’s gentle on them and allow you to achieve a professional result without breaking the bank

For those working with slabs and coils, a needle tool is an essential piece of equipment. It’s a smooth and fine needle with a sharp point that can poke holes of different sizes in your clay, and it comes with a plastic cover to prevent accidental pricks. The handle is also rounded and comfortable to hold in your dominant hand, so you’ll be able to work for longer periods of time with less discomfort.

Felting is a traditional fiber art that’s making a comeback, and this punch needle tool makes it easy to realize your soft textile designs. The ergonomic, rounded design is crafted from cherry wood and features a handle that unscrews easily to switch out your felting needles.

This punch needle also works with yarns of varying thickness, so it’s great for projects that require both fine and chunky yarns. Unlike many other punch needles, this one is also adjustable to give you different loop heights and create more texture to your work. It’s the best option for those who’re serious about this craft and want to be able to complete their punch needle designs quickly and effectively.

Clays

Clay is the basic building block of ceramics. It is a group of layered silicate minerals with atomic structures of silicon dioxide tetrahedra and aluminum hydroxide octahedra fitting together and sharing oxygen atoms. The structure is the key to clay’s many unique properties including plasticity (the ability to be moulded).

Plasticity is a clay’s ability to be formed into almost any shape when it is moistened. This property is the result of surface chemistry that attracts water electrolytically, gluing and lubricating billions of particles together.

Choosing the right clay for your students depends on their level of experience, the types of ceramics they are making and the temperature they will be firing to. Different clays are also easier or harder to manipulate, and some require special handling techniques.

Ball clays are the most commonly used type of clay. They have an excellent balance of strength and plasticity for handbuilding. They are usually a mix of two or more clays, and have differing soluble salt content, particle size distribution, drying shrinkage and fired maturity, and behavior in slurries.

Kaolins have much lower LOIs than ball clays, and can be less plastic. They are often mixed with a large percentage of bentonite to get adequate plasticity, but can produce beautiful translucent porcelains. They may exhibit dimples in glazes if not soaked long enough.

Clay Tools

There are many different clay tools available to take your pottery creations to the next level. Some are more useful than others, depending on your desired end result and your level of skill and comfort handling clay. A few essential ceramic tools to add to your tool kit include scoring tools (which can be anything from a serrated metal rib to groups of wires crimped on a handle) and fettling knives, which are very versatile.

These are a staple in every potter’s toolkit and can be used for a number of purposes, including trimming, etching, and drawing surface designs. They are very useful for creating a fine manipulation in the clay that can’t be easily done with fingers or any other bladed tool.

A loop tool is exactly what it sounds like: a piece of hardened wire twisted into an endless variety of shapes and sizes that create unique curvatures in the clay. These can be used to remove curved areas of clay during decorating or sculpting and can also be used to trim the feet of wheelwork in its beginning throwing stages.

Ribbon tools are very similar to loop tools but have one major difference: the tool head is a flat piece of metal rather than a wire. They are utilized on model and thrown projects, and their varying loop sizes can give you a variety of curves in the clay.

Pottery Supplies

Pottery supplies allow artists to shape, decorate, and finish their work. They can include clays (such as stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware), glazes, brushes, rollers, sponges, and a kiln.

A potter’s wheel, a device that lets ceramicists create symmetrical forms with the power of their hands, is essential for creating larger, more complex pottery. There are two primary types of wheels: the manual and electric. For beginners, we recommend the Shimpo VL-Lite — a quality floor-mounted pottery wheel with a price point that makes it affordable for most new ceramicists.

Clays: Pottery clay is available in different types, each with distinct properties and firing temperatures. For example, kaolin clay (which is also known as china clay) produces porcelain pottery that mirrors the style developed during the Shang Dynasty in ancient China (1600 – 1046 BC).

Glazes: Pottery glazes are vitrified coatings that melt and harden in a kiln to protect and decorate pottery. Different types of glazes serve specific purposes, including enhancing color, adding texture, or waterproofing.

Brushes: Pottery brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes for applying glazes, underglazes, slips, and other decorative materials. They are also useful for smoothing clay surfaces, blending seams, and controlling moisture when shaping.

Pottery tools and supplies can be found in craft stores and online. Many are also sold in specialty pottery supply shops that offer raw ingredients such as nepheline syenite and wollastonite, which act as fluxes to lower the melting temperature of glazes for ceramic kilns.

Healthcare facilities are required to adhere to strict regulatory standards. This requires proper cleaning to avoid infections and to maintain the facility’s reputation.

Professional commercial cleaners use hospital-grade disinfectants and follow specific guidelines to prevent cross-contamination. This is important for maintaining the safety of patients and staff members alike.

Patient Care

We all know that keeping businesses clean and sanitized is one of the most important tasks of any business owner, but some sectors of the economy have unique needs and higher standards of sanitation. That’s especially true in healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, dental offices and rehabilitation centers.

When patients walk into a medical facility, their first impression is shaped by the cleanliness of their surroundings. A pristine environment projects professionalism and instills confidence that patients will receive high-quality care in an environment that takes patient safety seriously.

Strict cleaning and disinfection protocols in healthcare environments prevent the transmission of pathogens from contaminated surfaces or equipment to patients, visitors and healthcare professionals. This reduces the risk of infection and disease, protecting both public health and the healthcare industry from expensive liability claims.

Multifaceted approach to cleanliness that includes both surface cleaning and sterilization of critical equipment. Frequently touched items in a medical office, from doorknobs to light switches, can harbor germs that are easily transferred between people. That’s why it’s important that these areas be regularly cleaned and disinfected by a trained professional.

Staff Health

The healthcare industry is tasked with protecting the health of millions every day. Keeping facilities clean is one of the best ways to protect patients.

A clean healthcare setting demonstrates professionalism and shows that the medical office takes patient satisfaction seriously. In turn, this helps build trust between staff and patients. This is especially important when it comes to the cleanliness of public spaces, like waiting rooms and cafeterias. Dirty seat cushions, empty waste cans and visible dirt on floors and furnishings make a poor impression on visitors. A clean environment sends a message that the medical office cares about its patients and takes infection control seriously.

Commercial cleaning based in Perth specialize in healthcare, having a better understanding of the needs of hospitals and their unique environments. They have the knowledge, tools and products to ensure consistent results. They can also apply advanced cleaning techniques, such as high-temperature steam, to sanitize and disinfect surfaces. They can also work with hospitals to develop specific procedures and cleaning schedules for high-risk areas, such as isolation rooms and emergency departments.

Unlike many other types of commercial buildings, healthcare and medical facilities need to be cleaned more often and with special attention to detail. A professional healthcare janitorial service can save hospitals and medical offices time and money while improving patient satisfaction. It can also help keep employees healthy and safe by reducing the spread of germs and contaminants.

Environmental Sustainability

As the world grapples with climate change and depletion of natural resources, sustainability has emerged as a major focus for many businesses. Incorporating green practices into business operations can lead to a higher quality of life for both people and planet. For example, reducing carbon emissions through renewable energy sources and reforestation projects is an effective way to reduce environmental impact. Other ways to be environmentally sustainable are by recycling, buying locally sourced products, and planting home gardens.

Unlike other commercial facilities, healthcare environments require specialized cleaning services and procedures. This is due to the high risk of a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) caused by exposure to bodily fluids and other pathogens. Infection control protocols are established by agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure a hygienic environment.

Medical cleaning staff must undergo specialized training and adhere to strict regulations set by health authorities for proper sanitization. As a result, they are familiar with HIPAA guidelines and the importance of privacy. However, medical janitorial services can still be environmentally friendly by using green products and implementing proper disinfection procedures. A clean facility will leave visitors and patients with a positive impression, regardless of the type of service provided. This is essential to any healthcare business’s public image and customer satisfaction. In addition, customers who have a positive experience at a healthcare facility are more likely to return.

Public Perception

In addition to the health and safety concerns, medical businesses must consider patient perceptions and satisfaction when it comes to their cleaning needs. Clean, well-maintained facilities send a message that a healthcare business takes its patients, staff and the public seriously and is professional in its approach to hygiene and cleanliness.

This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was important for all businesses to maintain a high level of sanitation in order to prevent the spread of disease. Despite these conditions, some commercial cleaning services fell short, either due to an overly parsimonious mindset or simply a lack of understanding of the ramifications of ignoring this need.

The truth is that, while appearances play a significant role in first impressions, it is not enough to fully protect the health of people entering hospitals and other medical buildings. Even in the most visually clean environments, pathogens can linger on surfaces and in airways if not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This is why it’s essential to employ professional janitorial services that understand the proper techniques for cleaning and disinfecting all areas of healthcare facilities.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, FMs must recognize that a positive reputation for cleaning is as crucial as any other business service. This can be accomplished by fostering relationships with professional janitorial services that can provide high-quality cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of all areas of medical and healthcare facilities. For expert commercial and health cleaning services in Melbourne, you can visit Cleantastic at https://www.cleantastic.com/commercial-cleaning/melbourne/ to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained.