How to Restore Old Glass Crystal
- 1). Inspect your antique or vintage glass crystal and evaluate the condition. Look carefully for chips, cracks or previous repairs. If you find signs of damage, do not clean the piece yourself. Instead, contact a glass conservator to professionally repair your pieces. Local museums have names of conservators, or you can contact the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (see Resources).
- 2). Line a plastic washing bowl with a towel or place a rubber mat in the bottom of the sink, due to the extreme fragility of antique and vintage glass. Also, remove any rings and bracelets that might scratch your glass as you wash it.
- 3). Wash your crystal glass, one piece at a time. Use room temperature water (glass is susceptible to cracking under even slight changes in temperature) with a few drops of mild detergent or ammonia. Use a soft cloth, cotton swabs or a soft brush to remove stubborn dirt. Be careful not to rub off any painted or gilded decoration on your glass.
- 4). Apply a stain-removal method to any clouding or stains not removed by regular washing. Fill your stained glass piece with water mixed with several tablespoons of vinegar. Add dry rice as a gentle scrubbing agent. Swish the rice around in the glass for a minute or two, then empty it.
- 5). Rinse your crystal using a small amount of vinegar or rubbing alcohol added to the water. Do not leave your glass object sitting in water. Instead, rinse it quickly.
- 6). Dry your glass crystal. If the shape of the glass allows hand drying, this will reduce the potential for spotting. For other pieces, hand dry the areas you are able to reach and allow the remainder to air dry. Be sure objects are completely dry before returning them to their display or storage place.
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