5 Tips for Cleaning Antique Glass

If you own or have stumbled onto what you believe is a museum-quality glass piece, don't try to clean it yourself. Although a soft, slightly damp, lint free cloth may work for minor dusting, anything more aggressive should be evaluated by a pro first. A professional conservator will know how to clean and dry your glass without causing damage. This qualifies as one of those "Don't try this at home" situations where you may end up very sorry you spritzed that vase with commercial window cleaner and let it air dry on your countertop. If you have a piece you can't afford to lose, have it evaluated before attempting to clean or repair it.

If you're trying to maintain an heirloom-quality piece, wiping it down with distilled water regularly should be enough of a cleaning regimen. Without specific instructions to do so from a professional, avoid submerging quality antique glass in water, and keep the water you're using at room temperature or just slightly warm.

Cleaning is an important part of maintaining antique glass, but it isn't the most important part.

The most important part is keeping your collection intact. On cleaning day, create enough room to work, including space for your tools and pieces. Cover the area with a soft cloth or towel. You want to create a cushion in case you put down a piece roughly, tip it over or drop it.

If you're planning on placing a very dirty piece in water and a little laundry detergent or ammonia, line the sink with soft towels first, or if the piece is small enough, clean it in a rubber or plastic tub. Once your hands get wet, it's easy to lose your grip on smooth, slick surfaces. A couple of layers of soft cotton may mean the difference between a close call and the broken shards of your next homemade mosaic project.

Clearly, one of the most appealing aspects of owning glass is enjoying its luster and the way it transforms light into art, so cleaning is important. To ensure that your dirty glass makes it to the sink without any mishaps, evaluate the path to and from your work area as well as the work area itself. Move objects like tables, electrical cords, toys and throw rugs, and make sure the kids (and pets) aren't playing nearby.

There are lots of different types of glass, and depending on the style and treatment, cleaning methods can vary. You may have to use a bottle brush to get down through the narrow neck of a bottle to give the bottom a good scrub or opt for a light wipe to avoid taking the gilding off a decorated decanter or platter. Knowing whether there's a film or coating over a piece of glass will give you clues about whether it's safe to use some elbow grease or an abrasive to remove rust spots or mineral deposits. You'll be able to use more pressure to get down into the pitted or upbraided areas of frosted glass than you would be on a piece that has a gold leaf finish. The more you know about the glass involved, the easier it will be to understand how aggressively you can work at getting it clean. Before you stir up the suds, take the time to do your homework on the proper cleaning method for your antique glass.

OK, so you've found a beautiful perfume bottle that looks like it's been sitting at the bottom of a well since the Great Depression. You can see a tantalizing shade of lavender peeking through the grime and want to restore the bottle to its former glory. If you've made the decision to do the work yourself, start with the least potentially damaging cleaning method. If you decide that you can't get the bottle clean without the risk of damaging it, weigh your options before you try something risky. Don't make the mistake of scratching a nice piece of glass unnecessarily when a gentler cleaning strategy would have done the job just as well. Here's a handy list of glass cleaning techniques starting with milder options. For the best results, research your specific glass type before you begin work:

Always clean glass pieces one at a time, and watch them closely to make sure you aren't damaging any components, like painted rims, metal filigree, or decorative caps or bases made of materials other than glass. If you can't tell if your methods are working, wait for the piece to dry and take a look at your handiwork before proceeding.

When you want to work on spots like mineral deposits or rust, you can sometimes use mild abrasives on glass without damaging it. Always test the technique you're using in an inconspicuous area, like the bottom of a tumbler, before you tackle the spot itself. If you're determined to lose the spots, one of these methods may be worth a try. Be very cautious when using them, and weigh the advantages of possibly removing a blemish at the risk of making the whole project look worse than when you started.