Good Morning Darlings!

 

We have a guest today, so be extra sweet. We are going to learn all about caring for our fine crystal stemware.

 

 

The Dos and Don’ts of Crystal Care

In the world of entertaining, crystal serving pieces and stemware are a must have for any fabulous dinner party! But, before you bring out your best furnishings let’s take a look at some helpful dos and don’ts of crystal.

Don’t twist the stem of your crystal goblet back and forth when cleaning or drying. Too much stress on the stem can cause it to break.

Do hand wash your crystal items. Some brands, like Waterford, are beginning to place “dishwasher safe” stickers on their crystal stemware. Although the manufacturer might deem your wine goblet or champagne flute dishwasher safe, that doesn’t mean that they are safe in your dishwasher. By hand washing your crystal stemware, you reduce the risk of pieces clanging together and breaking. Individually hand washing each piece leaves you, the owner, in more control of their overall care.

Do clean you crystal with mild dish soap. Also, most dishwashing detergents are far too harsh. While they may be great cleaners for baking dishes, crystal stemware does not need that same intensity of cleaner to be thoroughly cleaned. A gentle dishwashing liquid and some lukewarm water should do the trick. Then, rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Don’t leave your freshly washed crystal out to air dry, then attempt to dry it with a cloth. Air drying your stemware could lead to the formation of water spots, which only smear when gone over with a dry cloth. Dry your crystal with a soft cloth immediately after washing.

Don’t store your crystal stemware upside down. Storing crystal stemware upside down can leave more room for storage, but the rims of your pieces could be chipped by storing your crystal this way.

Do hold onto crystal pieces that are slightly nicked or chipped. If a precious or expensive piece has a flaw, it might be worth a trip to your local glass repair shop to see if the chip can be filed down. This technique generally makes the crystal piece slightly shorter than the remaining pieces, but it is usually unnoticeable to your guests.

Do purchase a special file, like a diamond file or crystal saver, to file or smooth down a nick in your crystal. Of course, use your best judgment; if you are handy then it’s a do!

Do place a rubber or padded mat to place in the bottom of your sink. The extra cushion will help absorb some of the shock if a glass falls or slides around while you’re hand washing.

Do carry your crystal stemware with one piece in each hand. Trying to carry three goblets in one hand and a pitcher in the other leads to clanging and sometimes shattered crystal.

Don’t hesitate to use your crystal often! Crystal is intended to be enjoyed and marveled. Saving your crystal for only special occasions usually leaves your crystal to collect dust. Life’s short, so enjoy your beautiful crystal whenever an opportunity arises; no matter how trivial the occasion may seem.

Now that you’ve read our simple dos and don’ts, it’s time to start planning your next get-together. Cheers!

About the Author

Molly Mulvaney is a sales associate at Bering’s Hardware in Houston, TX. Bering’s is well known for a broad range of carefully selected home goods such as housekeeping products to grilling products and accessories, as well as fine crystal stemware. Molly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending graduate school, doing Crossfit, being outside, watching movies, and eating sweets.