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.
To remove the buildup caused by calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, start by swabbing the glass with acetone (found in most nail polish removers), and then scrub gently with a mild detergent. Soaking the glasses in plain white distilled vinegar is another effective home remedy.
Hard water stains can be the dickens to clean. Hand-wash crystal glasses in warm water using a mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive scrub brushes and use a nonabrasive sponge instead. For severe film buildup, wash the glass with vinegar or use a commercial lime remover. Soak the glass in a solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water, then scrub lightly.
The brilliance missing from your crystal may need a stronger push to return. A paste of one-half teaspoon of salt and white vinegar, gently rubbed on and left to sit for ten minutes may dissolve hard residue. Fill a bowl or vase with warm water to which you've added one teaspoon of baking soda and enough white vinegar to make it fizz and bubble. The reaction dislodges material which has been clinging to the glass.
If you rarely use your crystal, cover each piece with plastic wrap. The next time you're ready for the piece(s), each will be spotless and ready to delight.
Crustal vases often cloud up but are amazingly easy to clean.
Hopefully, we've all got a bottle brush handy; if not, then take two-three tablespoons of dry, uncooked rice and about one-half cup of distilled white vinegar. Put the two ingredients in the vase and use a circular motion to shake it. (The vinegar will clean as the rice scours without scratching the crystal.)
That gross baked-on crud at the bottom looks like a hopeless mess. It isn't. Measure the amount of liquid the vase will hold, then mix two parts strong black tea to one part distilled white vinegar. All the mixture to soak overnight; the next day, spill out the solution and wash the vase with detergent. Rinse and dry.
Boil water and fill the vase. Toss in two Alka-Seltzer tablets and let the ingredients bubble to scour the vase clean. Rinse and dry per usual.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.
In an earlier July 22nd column, the incorrect vitamin was listed to ingest to prevent mosquito bites. You should use B1, not D1.