Some Teapot enthusiasts surely have more than one Purple Clay Teapot at home, but it's not possible to use every teapot daily. Some Teapots might only be used after 2-3 months or a used teapot may be set aside for future use. At this point, some people might put the teapot away without any treatment, which is not good for the teapot itself. So, what should you pay attention to when storing a used purple clay teapot?

1. A used purple clay teapot must be thoroughly air-dried; there should be no moisture inside. To check if the teapot is dry, place a piece of tissue paper inside, cover it, and see if the tissue is damp the next day.

2. A used teapot should not be wrapped up or placed in a box directly, as the Tea residue inside can easily mold.

3. Store the teapot in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Do not store it in a damp location. Ideally, have a special shelf or cabinet for your teapots at home.

4. If the teapot is not going to be used for a long time, place some dry tea leaves inside—the same type of tea that has been used in this teapot. Periodically check if the tea leaves are damp. If they are, remove them immediately, open the lid, and thoroughly air-dry the teapot again. This prevents the tea residue from molding. We know that tea leaves absorb moisture and odors easily. There is always some moisture in the air, which can enter the teapot through the lid and spout. If there are dry tea leaves inside, they will absorb this moisture first, helping to maintain the dryness inside the teapot.

Comparison between a teapot that has been maintained and one that hasn't

I've always emphasized that purple clay teapots need to be maintained. If you can't maintain them regularly, at least season new teapots. Seasoned purple clay teapots will gradually develop a patina, though much slower than those that are regularly maintained. Even though both are new teapots, a seasoned one and an unseasoned one placed side by side show noticeable differences in appearance.