Nothing can match crystal glassware for elegance and style. Regularly cleaning crystal glass ornaments and stemware will help maintain the sparkle and shine for years to come. If it seems like an arduous chore, we’ve put together a few tips to help you breeze through the task. So what’s the best way to clean crystal glass? And what can you do about stubborn residue, water sports, and other issues? Read on and find out.
First, check your glassware
Genuine lead crystal glassware is highly porous and not dishwasher-safe. However, before you start filling the sink, check your pieces. Lead-free glassware has many of the qualities of crystal, but you can run it through the dishwasher.
If you’re in luck, then you can start loading your dishwasher. Here’s the best way to get perfect results:
- Make sure there’s plenty of space between each piece, so they don’t jostle and break during the washing cycle.
- Only use a small amount of dishwasher detergent to avoid residue.
- Allow the crystal to come to room temperature before running your standard glass washing cycle.
- Let the crystal cool in the dishwasher and then remove it carefully, using a lint-free cloth to avoid fingerprints and smudging.
Washing crystal by hand
Don’t be nervous about washing crystals by hand. Follow these steps, and you’ll have stunning glassware in no time.
- Allow the crystal to come up to room temperature. Sudden temperature changes can crack the glass.
- Line the bottom of the sink or washing up bowl with a soft cloth, rubber mat or a layer of paper towels. This layer will protect your glasses from chips and breaks.
- Fill your bowl or sink with warm water and a few squirts of a gentle washing up liquid. Mix thoroughly, then add two cups of white vinegar. Never use hot water as your crystal can break.
- Submerge your wine glasses one by one in the solution and leave them for a minute. Don’t be tempted to wash more than one piece at a time, as that can lead to chips and breakages. For oversized ornaments or candle holders, sponge down thoroughly with the washing solution.
- Gently clean the item inside and out, using a microfibre cloth and a gentle circular motion. For cut or engraved glass, a toothbrush is a good tool for dislodging any dirt. If the opening of an item is too small for your hand, use a baby bottle brush instead.
- Rinse your items with warm water so they don’t crack and dry immediately with a lint-free cloth to avoid water spots. You might want to wear gloves to prevent fingerprints. Wipe away any residual soap from oversized items or rinse in a bucket of warm distilled water to avoid water spots.
Restoring shine to your crystal
If you need to restore the shine to your crystal, look to the pantry. A solution of three parts warm water to one part vinegar will soon fix that lost dazzle.
Line the bottom of your bowl as before with a soft cloth and submerge your crystal glassware for five to ten minutes. If you’re cleaning a vase, fill the piece with the vinegar-water solution and leave it to stand. Finally, clean, rinse and polish as usual.
Removing water spots from your crystal
Water spots can take the edge off your crystal wine glasses. To restore their beauty, try one of the following cleaning strategies:
- Soak glasses, ornaments, or vases overnight in a vinegar-water solution, or try denture cleaning tablets.
- Alternately, remove the seeds from a lemon and rub the cut side over the water spots.
- If the problem persists, consider cleaning your crystal with distilled water or get a water softener.
Get rid of stubborn mineral deposits
If your glassware looks dull and cloudy, the culprit is mineral deposits, especially if you live in a hard water area. Here’s how to tackle glass that has lost its sparkle:
- Toothpaste: rub a little into the cloudy areas using your fingers or soft cloth until the glass is clean and clear.
- Vinegar and salt: make a paste of equal parts of these two pantry staples and rub it into the cloudy area. If the stains are persistent, a solution of 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in warm water with enough vinegar to make it bubble should shift even the toughest stains.
General tips and advice on caring for crystal
- Never let your crystal air dry, as this encourages water spots. Instead, dry gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Always use warm water as extremes of temperature can crack your crystal.
- Let clean crystal wine glasses return to room temperature before you use them again.
- Never store liquids or foodstuffs in lead crystal.
- Consider using non-drip candles with your crystal candle holders and remove any wax deposits immediately. Be careful when burning candles, as the high temperature can cause your crystal to crack.
If you’re looking for designer crystal glassware to gift or for your collection, shop Pyramid Glass today.