CARING FOR CRYSTAL

 Crystal is a high quality form of glass, produced with lead oxide which creates light reflection. All pieces of Crystal regardless of density and weight are delicate and need to be cared for and cleaned with care.

As you care for your pieces remember, most damage happens when cleaning or moving pieces. You must be very careful each time you clean a piece. When moving your beautiful pieces of Crystal, always carry one object or one part of an object at a time.  Sometimes we want to get done quicker and as mother used to say “haste makes waste” and carrying multiple pieces or parts can cause unnecessary chipping or breakage.  Always place your hands gently but firmly around the body of your piece rather than using an existing handle, rim, or  spout for support because no matter whether it is a very old piece or new it could snap off or slip from your hands.

In general, it is not a good idea to routinely wash the pieces but to wash only on an as needed basis.  The less a piece is handled for cleaning the less risk of breakage through accidents and mishandling.  It is better to protect pieces from soil and dust in the first place by keeping them in a closed curio or China Cabinet.  If you do like to display them on a shelf you should keep a careful eye on them to make sure they are not getting to dusty.  However, it is also important to enjoy your crystal, just always remember that it is fragile.

Objects should be kept free of dust, debris, and oily residues. Keeping in a cabinet also prevents the items to be broken. Store individual glass crystal separately. Do not stack or crowd items and be sure they are kept well back from the edge of the shelf.  Avoid wrapping glass in tissue or newspaper, which may attract and hold dampness. When a piece has dust on it,. I recommend you to use “Blow Dryer” on cool air to get rid of dust.  Remember,  fine crystal and glassware can crack or break when subjected to extremes of hot and cold so always use tepid water to clean with a mild lemon detergent and 1/4 cup ammonia (to prevent spotting). Rinse in clean water and air dry on a rack.. If your crystal piece has fingerprints on it, do not place it in the dishwasher, fingerprints will disappear when you use a small amount of glass cleaner with a soft, lint free cloth.

By taking care and precautions your crystal whether glasses, ornaments or collectibles will bring you a lifetime of enjoyment and still be something of value to hand down to generations to come.