Your lacquer product has 18 layers, please handle it with care, do not soak, but wipe with a damp cloth after use.It can not withstand high temperatures for serving food and hot dishes can not be placed directly onto it. If you are storing your lacquer product in an air-conditioned environment, store it flat with a weight on top for a couple of weeks. The multiple layers make it very durable and you will have years of use if you look after it correctly. Most of all enjoy your lacquer product and remember that it has been totally made by hand in Vietnam. There is no other piece exactly the same as yours.