by Janette Peel

Created on: January 01, 2009

A little care and attention keeps glassware in perfect sparkling condition.

In time and with use, pieces of glassware inevitably get damaged. You can carry out minor repairs although you should always take valuable pieces such as antique, heavily engraved or cut glass to a glass restorer.

Always wash fine glassware and painted or gilded glass carefully by hand, never in a dishwasher. Remove any rings before cleaning glass, diamond rings in particular can scratch the surface and a knock could chip the rim. Wash glassware first, while the water is clean, warm and soapy, before tackling the rest of the washing up. Rinse out any glasses that have contained milky drinks in cold water before washing them.

1. Washing the glass: Fill you sink with sufficient warm water and a little washing up liquid.
Wash only one or two pieces at a time to prevent them knocking together and chipping the rims. Don't use abrasive cleaners or pads as these can scratch and damage the surface. Clean engraved patterns and the crevices of cut glass with a soft bristled brush.

2.
Draining the glass: Rinse in clean, warm water. Never use hot water in case the glass cracks because of the abrupt rise in temperature. Drain each piece upside down on a clean, folded tea towel.

For a sparkling finish, it is best to dry glass immediately with a soft lint free cloth that is dry and clean. Left to dry in the air, a glass become dull and develops water spots. Buff glass that has lost its shine with a silver polishing cloth.

Dry decanters on the outside and then leave them to dry upside down in a warm place.
Make sure they are totally dry inside before replacing the stopper.

The stems on some glasses are delicate and easily snapped, so take extra care when drying them.

To dry a stemmed glass, hold the top of the stem where it joins the bowl. Turn the bowl gently in a dry, clean cloth. Then gently rub the cloth up and down the stem.
Finally wipe the foot. Never twist the foot and bowl in opposite directions as this can cause the stem to snap.

A stopper stuck in the neck of a decanter and glasses jammed inside one another are common problems which you approach with care. Never try pouring boiling water over the neck of the decanter or knocking glasses free, as this results in breakages.

Releasing stuck glasses:

To free a glass stuck inside another glass stand the outer one in warm water to make it expand. Then pour ice-cold water into the inner one so it contracts. After a few minutes, gently ease them apart.

Removing

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