Care and

Handling

Unlike most pieces of art, your crystal is meant to be used, not just admired. Following is a bit of advice to ensure your crystal continues to be enjoyed for generations to come.

USINg

While in some ways very durable, crystal is more sensitive to temperature than mere glass. For that reason, avoid extremes and rapid temperature changes. Never use it for a hot beverage and never put it in the freezer.

CLEANING

Many of today’s dishwashers have a setting labeled "crystal" or "china." This means they are programmed to keep the temperature under 140°. That’s helpful, but probably not enough. As crystal has a propensity to break when two wet pieces touch, we recommend washing pieces the way they were made, one at a time and by hand. Use a mild soap and water no hotter than your hands can stand. Avoid abrasives. Rinse with hot water and let air dry if it is a drinking glass. If it won’t be used for drinking, dry with a soft cloth. If you must use a dishwasher, use a soft liquid detergent and half the amount you would in a normal cycle. Load and unload carefully. The interior of vases can be cleaned by swirling rice in warm soapy water or fill the vase with water, drop in a couple of denture cleaning tablets, wait a few hours and rinse.

STORING

Store your glasses upright, never upside down. This way you are not likely to chip the rims. The idea of storing glasses upside down was to prevent dust from settling inside. If you’re storing them in a cupboard or a cabinet with a door, this is less of a problem. Better yet, use your glasses often and they’ll have little chance of getting dusty.