Clearing antique glassware

Even though it seems a lot of people don’t appreciate the beauty of vintage glassware, many still do and you can follow some simple steps to keep your glassware clean and shiny.  First of all, when you are washing your vintage glassware, line the sink with a rubber mat or towels.  You don’t want to break your lovely glassware. Never put cold glasses in hot water or hot glasses in cold water or they can crack or shatter.

The first and easiest step is to wash the glasses in mild detergent and use a microfiber towel to dry.  If you are cleaning glassware that has silver or gold overlays or etching, make sure to consult the internet for special cleaning instructions.  Never put delicate glassware in the dishwasher, it can bang together or get damaged by harsh detergents.  A little ammonia added to the water adds sparkle and shine.

Often glass vases can get cloudy or have mineral deposits from years of use. 

These can be soaked overnight in vinegar and water or sometimes people have good luck with adding a denture tablet the the water and let it soak overnight.  Some people use CLR but you have to be very careful because that is a harsh chemical.  Some folks have luck with wiping the glass with Vaseline on a microfiber towel.

Cloudiness can often because by constant exposure to calcium deposits.  Make sure to wash and dry your vases well after use.  A soft bottle brush can be used to scrub out the necks of vases.  Sometimes copper wool can clean the glass without scratching.  Make sure the copper wool is real copper and not just copper colored.  This is often the process you need to remove rust stains from glass.  Happy Collecting!