Fine crystal is a very special keepsake and great care should
be taken when cleaning and storing your pieces. Full lead crystal
is "softer" than regular glass, and it will scratch, so it should be
stored where it will not touch your other pieces of crystal or any
dishes for that matter. Do not store glasses upside down-this
may cause stress to the rim, which is delicate. Carry your pieces
one at a time, never in groups. Hold the stem of your glasses when
moving and using them.
Wash your crystal in warm water with a mild detergent, and rinse
with warm water. Changes in temperature, such as going from
very hot to cold could affect the crystal, and in some cases cause
clouding or even cracking. Dry with a soft clean lint free cloth or
paper towels and never use anything abrasive on the piece. It's
really best to buy rubber mats for the sinks and rubber coated
strainers. In a pinch, you can place a soft towel in the bottom
of the sink too. If you end up with hard water spots on your crystal,
you can use a small amount of vinegar to remove them (in fact,
you can actually add a little vinegar to the dish water if you wish
when you wash crystal.) If absolutely necessary you can use a
soft brush to do this for stubborn spots.
The dishwasher is not recommended for fine crystal, but you may
want to use it with pieces that are used on a regular basis, and
may not be full lead crystal. Set your dishwasher on the delicate
cycle if it has one. Securely set the glasses upside down in the
dishwasher, but do not let them touch each other. It's best to
wash a load with just crystal. As soon as the wash cycle is finished,
open the door to allow the steam to escape. Don't over use the
detergent-if you are washing just the crystal, they probably aren't
overly dirty and you can use less. Dry with a soft cloth and store
them as suggested above.
Also, if you have any small pieces of crystal, figurines or jewelry,
do not use jewelry cleaner, but again, wash with a mild soap, and
polish with a soft cloth. If a figurine does crack you can try gluing
with a clear-drying epoxy intended for glass or crystal, NOT Super
Glue, or something similar. Dry the figurine in the sun if possible
to help the bonding.
Crystal is a beautiful keepsake which can be handed down to
family members. Taking these extra precautions is worth it!
About the Author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife, mom to three kids and a freelance
writer. She is the editor/owner of Old Fashioned Living and sends out
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