GLASSWARE

As I receive a lot of enquiries about cleaning glassware I have decided to add a new page on the subject.

• Use the bartenders method for speedy stemware washing.  Holding the base, pump the glass vigorously in hot soapy water, then quickly pump it in hot clear water (cooler water may shatter the glass).  Dry it upside down on a cotton towel.

• Alternatively, glasses can be dried by rotating them in a dry tea towel (preferably linen or plain cotton without pile).  A damp cloth drags a cold surface and could pull out a piece of the rim.  Hold stemmed glasses firmly by the bowl as the stem is easily broken.  Remember to remove all diamond rings during washing as they could scratch the glass.

• For extra shiny streak free glasses, add a little vinegar or borax to the final rinse water.

• If glasses have hard water stains rub them with a scouring pad* dipped in vinegar.

• Never use hot water, harsh soaps, ammonia or washing soda on silver or gold rimmed glasses.

• A well lathered shaving brush cleans deeply etched or textured glass especially well.

• The action of a dishwasher and detergent will etch and dull the surface of lead crystal.  Ideally they should be hand washed singly in a warm solution of washing-up liquid, rinsed in a bowl of water and dried whilst warm. If, however, the damage has already been done it may be worth trying one of the following -

  1:  Rub them with a scouring pad* dipped in vinegar.

  or

  2: : Soak glasses in a mixture of water and liquid detergent into which a few drops of ammonia have been added.  Make sure you rinse the glasses well before use.

• If eggs have dried on your patterned glass tableware rub off the residue with a slice of lemon.

• Handle glass ovenware very carefully.  Avoid hard knocks and sudden exposure to heat or cold and keep it away from water (even moist kitchen top) while warm.

• If glass hob safe cookware remains stained after washing, boil a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in it for about 20 minutes.

Troubleshooting

Chipped rims - provided the chip is shallow and the glass if valuable enough, have the rim ground down but it will be shorter than the rest.

If two glasses are stuck together - fill the inner glass with iced water and repeatedly dip the outer glass in a bowl of warm water.   Gradually increase the temperature of the warm water until the outer glass has expanded sufficiently for the two glasses to be separated.  Warning - increase temperature gradually otherwise the glass may break.

Decanter stopper stuck - wrap the next of the decanter in a fairly hot, damp towel and use the handle of a wooden spoon to gently tap opposite sides of the stopper.  Or pour two or three drips of cooking oil around the decanter's rim and leave in a warm place.

Stained decanters - to remove stains in the base of a decanter half fill with warm, soapy water and add 2 tablespoons of rice (uncooked of course!!).  Swirl the mixture round several times over thirty minutes and then pour it out.  Rinse thoroughly and stand upside down to drain dry.  I have been told that crushed egg shells will also do the trick. (See notes below)

To remove the remains of sticky labels.  This does depend on the type of adhesive used on the label as some are impervious to water and others are not, however, I have found it is usually a case of trial and error to see what works. Here are a few things to try -

Rub with a cloth dipped in methylated spirits.

or

Sprinkle on talcum powder and rub with your finger.

or

(I know this sounds disgusting) but a little saliva on your finger rubbed over the offending label often does the trick.

In response to this page I have received the following from a company who have been in the antique business for more than 20 years, I thought it may be of interest -

"Further to your hints on how to clean the inside of vessels, we have been in the antique business for more then 20 years and have heard lots of stories of lemon juice and lead shot, egg shells and vinegar even bleach to clean the insides of sick glass. But to tell the truth, many of these things are only a short term fix and once the glass is stained it can never be right by swirling substances inside.

The other cure is prevention, do not put the sachets to keep flowers alive in crystal vases or leave alcohol in decanters for long periods. We put glassware on mechanical brushes and remove the inner skin of the glass. As with all repairs there is a small risk but this is normally only if the item is cracked of chipped. All items cost £20 plus p&p to clean up to the size of a large decanter and the results are amazing. We also repair glass when chipped and supply a wide range of specialist services only available from a handful of companies worldwide. Our website is at www.facetsglass.co.uk hope you can spare some time to take a look."

Also from  Stephen Pollock-Hill of  http://www.nazeing-glass.com/ - Glass manufacturers for over 40 years!

Decanter stains. If the decanter is old or modern and contains lead crystal, it can be acid dipped by a glass cutter who posses the right equipment to repolish the surface.

*As a glass manufacturer we would NOT recommend using a "scouring pad" to remove stain from lead crystal! There are plastic soft and hard scouring pads and metal ones. the last two will inflict more damage than was there before.