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.
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~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.
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..!
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.
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