I’ve just inherited my grandmother’s crystal. I’m not sure how to clean it because of its age so hope you have some suggestions. – Gina Granddaughter
Dear Ms. Granddaughter: First off, remember that glass is primarily made of sand; therefore, never wash “good” crystal in the dishwasher. Not only can the glassware lose their sparkle, the glasses can chip or crack and, the older the glassware, the more fragile it is. Following are the best methods to clean for best results to make your granny’s crystal shine:
Ellen Phillips Fill the sink with 3:1 combination of hot water and distilled white vinegar. (If the crystal is really grimy, use three parts of hot water to two parts of distilled white vinegar.) Hand wash separately, rinse and then dry each piece with a lint-free cloth.
If the crystal is very ornate and/or has deep etching, clean it with a shaving brush for best results. If one isn’t available, try a big make-up brush. Both types are stiff enough to get into crevices but, also, are soft enough to not do damage.
Non-gel white toothpaste is a good fixer for hairline scratches. Place a dab on a cloth and rub the scratches; the mild abrasion should smooth out the glass without a trace of a scratch. Rinse and wipe dry, again with a soft lint-free cloth.