Aftercare of Glass & Crystal

General

Glass has a higher Tensile strength than Steel..!  Tensile means that you can pull or push it.  However, it does not bend too well..!  Edges are also the most vulnerable – rims and corners in particular.

Soda Glass

Often used in Pubs and Restaurants and usually fairly thick glass to resist knocks and repeated dishwashing.  There is no reason for you to do any differently at home!

Crystal

Crystal~Glass, Lead Crystal and in particular Optical Crystal, should always be hand washed.  The reasoning is that finer rims are generally the norm with Crystal products, which can easily chip in rough use.  Optical Crystal is particularly ‘soft’ and can easily scratch.  Place these items on a soft cloth when on display and handle with great care if you want to keep them in pristine condition.

Shapes

Wide mouthed shapes can easily be washed, rinsed and dried.  Narrow necked shapes cannot be treated the same way.  We recommend Not using heavy detergents inside a decanter, for instance.  Store glass and crystal up-side-down, on a lint free cloth, in ventilated cupboards and away from anything with an odour.  Modern homes often have airborne odours from building materials, plastics and sprays.  There is nothing worse than tainting a fine wine or your favourite Scotch with a non-complimentary odour..!

Caring for Glass/Crystal

  • Do take care when washing glass and crystal and keep the item away from your kitchen tap!
  • Do use hand hot water to wash glass/crystal, with (non-perfumed) detergent – pure soap flakes are best.
  • Do be aware that glass is very slippery when washing, keep a good hold of it.
  • Do rinse your newly washed glasses using clear, hand hot water.  They will dry without streaks.
  • Do dry the insides of a decanter prior to storing – use a ‘wick’ of kitchen roll, rolled and placed inside the neck.  Allow to dry thoroughly before storing.
  • Do inspect and smell a glass prior to use. 
  • Do store decanters with their stoppers in place, but also put a tiny wedge of material between stopper and neck, to allow air inside the body.
  • Do not store glass or crystal items where sunlight can fall on them.  Aside from discolouring the glass/crystal, the glass can have a magnifying effect and burn a timber shelf or windowsill beneath it. 
  • Do not subject ordinary glass or crystal to sudden heat or cold – Boron (Pyrex) has special properties, other glass does not and can shatter.
  • Do not flick the side of a wine glass to make it ‘ring’.  In time, you will weaken the rim and cause it to crack.
  • Do not carry a ‘glass on each finger’, carrying five glasses in each hand!  They will scratch each other.

Caring for Decanters

To remove a stuck stopper from a decanter, warm the neck of the decanter with a hot wet cloth. The heat will make the neck expand and release the stopper. Do not twist or shake the decanter or stopper – use a straight pull.

Some fluids, such as red wine and port, may leave stubborn stains in the base of a decanter. To remove these try adding a spoonful of rice or similar grain, with some soap flakes and warm water to the decanter and shake thoroughly. To remove really stubborn marks, use a small amount of dental cleaner and repeat with the grains.