Fine crystal stemware immediately adds a touch of class and elegance to any dinner table, and leaves your dinner party guests long admiring your fine taste. There is no doubt crystal and other fine stemware pieces are beautiful; but they are also are extremely fragile and delicate. With every wash and rinse, they must be handled with care in order to keep them looking as beautiful as the day you first got them—and first showed them off to your friends and family members. With a little patience, and a little preparation, you can keep your fine pieces of stemware looking their best long into the future. And it’s not too hard. Here's how you do it.
Cleaning must be done carefully, preferably one piece at a time. Remember, the less you handle the piece the better, as most damage occurs when cleaning and moving. It’s also a best practice to wash crystal stemware by hand.
• Line the bottom of your sink with a dish towel or paper towels as a buffer in case one is dropped.
• Using a very small amount of mild dish soap, a soft cloth and warm (not hot) water, gently wash each glass individually. You only need a drop of soap smaller than a dime to get three to four glasses clean.
• Rinse each piece thoroughly in a separate bowl of warm water (temperature changes can cause breakage and hot water can fade hand-painted pieces).
• Dry with a cotton or lint free towel while the glass is still warm. Be careful not turn the stemware against the stem while drying, as the weakest part of the glass is where the stem connects to the bowl.
• Place right side up to cool before storing.
• Store crystal stemware in either a stemware storage box (available online, or at most home goods retailers) or hang in a glass-rack.
A couple more tips:
• For glasses that are particularly tough to clean, hold over a pot of boiling water, allowing the stemware to fog up from the steam. Then take a soft, clean, lint-free cloth and gently wipe.
• To prevent hard water spots from leaving their mark, add a couple of drops of vinegar to the cloth or sponge when cleaning.
• If you must use a dishwasher, be extremely careful, especially if the crystal is hand-blown. Make sure the glasses are secure and that they do not touch each other. Always wash on a “short” and delicate cycle.
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