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Crystal Clear

Those crystal pieces you’ve picked for your registry look sparkling in-store, but how can you keep things shining at home? Follow these tips to keep your stemware gleaming.

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By Hand
Washing items by hand is by far the best way to care for crystal. Place a rubber basin or a dishcloth in the bottom of the sink to cushion the crystal, then fill the sink with lukewarm water and use a detergent recommended by the manufacturer. Wash pieces individually to avoid having them knock together. It’s a good idea to push the tap to one side so there is no chance of colliding with it. If you wear any diamond rings, remove them, as the diamonds can nick your crystal.
While washing stemware by hand, avoid holding the glass by the base with one hand while screwing a towel or sponge into the bowl with the other. This puts stress on the stem and could snap it. Rinse well with clean water and place each piece on a paper or cloth towel or a rubber-coated drainer to air-dry, or wipe with a lint-free cotton cloth.

By Machine
Yes, crystal is machine washable, but the downside is that a certain amount of shifting and shaking can take place, putting your crystal in jeopardy. To avoid any untimely breakage, ensure each piece is placed securely on the rack away from other items.
Another word of warning: go easy on the detergent! It can be potent stuff, so take care by using a milder brand. Over a period of time, dishwashers can also cause areas of a crystal piece to become cloudy, due to tiny scratches made by the detergent. These are extremely hard to remove, but rubbing the area with tin oxide (a fine abrasive powder) you can re-polish the cloudy area to its original clarity.

Keeping Them Safe
Once you’ve polished your pieces to perfection, be sure to store them in a special place and/or display unit. It is best not to store your crystal in direct sunlight, which can lead to damage over an extended period of time. Cover shelves with felt or other fabric to protect the bases of your crystal from scratches. Also, allow enough room so each piece has space around it, to ensure it does not knock against others. Place each stem right-side up; they tip over more easily if they’re upside-down. Extra caution should be taken with crystal stems that have delicate flared rims. If a rim does become chipped, it is sometimes possible to have the chip smoothed out by a professional specializing in these kinds of repairs.

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