Quick answer

Store Dust to Dust pieces upright and let the larger mineral particles settle before display, then clean only with a dry, soft touch. Keep them out of direct sun and away from harsh cleaners so the texture and batch-specific color stay true.

Start with a gentle settle, not a shake

Dust to Dust pigments are broken down with a mortar and pestle, so each piece carries real texture and larger particles. Those larger pieces naturally sink to the bottom and sides of the bottle rather than staying suspended. Before you display or use a piece, let it rest upright for a few hours. If you must move it, roll the bottle slowly between your palms instead of shaking it. Shaking forces grit into the cap threads and can crack the finish around the neck.

Choose a display spot with stable light and low traffic

Mineral pigments can shift over time under strong direct sun, and the decorative caps on some pieces are handmade. Place Dust to Dust pieces on a shelf or tray away from windows, radiators, and busy walkways. A low-traffic spot reduces accidental knocks and keeps dust from settling into the textured surface. If you group pieces, leave a finger-width of space between them so the caps do not rub.

Clean with dry tools only

For mineral pigment artwork cleaning, skip sprays, wipes, and alcohol. Use a dry microfiber cloth or a soft makeup brush to lift dust from the surface. For the bottle itself, a dry lint-free cloth is enough. If a cap has a bronze finish, buff it lightly with the same dry cloth; moisture can dull the metal over time. Never submerge a Dust to Dust piece in water.

Respect batch variation and texture

Each batch uses different parts of the source material, so slight color variations are normal and expected. Do not try to match two pieces exactly. If larger particles collect at the bottom, that is the material settling, not a defect. Leave them be; they are part of the raw look. When you do use the piece, a slow roll is enough to redistribute the pigment without forcing grit into the cap.

Step-by-step care routine

  1. Let the piece settle upright: Place the bottle or jar upright on a stable surface and leave it for a few hours before display or use. This lets larger mineral particles sink naturally. Checkpoint: if you see grit at the bottom, that is normal settling, not a flaw.
  2. Roll, don't shake: If you need to redistribute pigment, roll the bottle slowly between your palms. Shaking drives grit into the cap threads and can damage the finish. Mistake to avoid: shaking hard to mix the pigment.
  3. Dust with a dry, soft tool: Use a dry microfiber cloth or soft brush to remove dust from the surface. For the cap, a dry buff is enough. Never use water, sprays, or alcohol. Checkpoint: the cloth should come away dry and free of pigment residue.
  4. Display away from sun and traffic: Choose a shelf or tray out of direct sun and away from walkways. Leave space between pieces so caps do not rub. Mistake to avoid: placing pieces on a sunny windowsill or a crowded edge.
  5. Store extras with the cap on: Keep unused pieces capped and upright in a cool, dry spot. The handmade bronze cap is removable, so set it aside carefully if you prefer the standard black matte cap. Checkpoint: store upright to keep sediment from packing into the neck.

Product facts that affect care

  • GREEN SPIRULINA: Sonoran Desert, CA (Dust to Dust): Green spirulina from the Sonoran Desert, CA, part of the Dust To Dust collection, broken down with a mortar and pestle so it has texture and larger pieces of pigment. The coarse texture means you should clean with dry tools only and expect visible particles in the finish.
  • BLACK TOURMALINE: Minas Gerais, BR (Dust to Dust): Black Tourmaline from Minas Gerais, BR, is sheer with pieces of black tourmaline and will have texture as well as larger pieces of pigment. Sheer base plus heavy particles means settling is normal, so let the bottle rest before display or use.
  • MOTHER OF PEARL + BLUESTONE (Dust To Dust) (Wholesale): A combination of ground Mother Of Pearl and Bluestone, with larger particles that stick to the bottom and sides and will not suspend; comes with a removable handmade decorative bronze cap. The bronze cap is decorative and removable, so handle it gently and keep it dry to preserve the finish.