Caring for crystal and glass; removing stains. It’s best to hand-wash fine glasses. To avoid chipping, wash them one or two at a time in a plastic dishpan or in the sink with a rubber mat. The water should be fresh and hot. For extra luster, add a pinch of laundry bluing or ammonia to the suds. Use a soft brush to clean cut or etched glass. Drain the glasses upside down in a dishrack or on a heavy towel. Dry them with a linen towel.
You can use a dishwasher for everyday glasses, but dishwashing detergent sometimes leaves etchings in glass, which can’t be removed. Space glasses in a dishwasher so that they don’t touch the dishes or each other.
To remove stains from glassware, including carafes and vases, fill them with water and add 1 teaspoon of ammonia; soak them overnight. Or try rubbing the stain with baking soda, but don’t use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads. To remove hard-water calcium deposits, soak glassware for a day or two in distilled water with a little vinegar added. Stained crystal can be soaked in a solution of commercial denture cleaner. Storing and restoring Store glassware on shelves lined with flannel-backed plastic, heavy paper, or rubber mats. Don’t store it for a long time in newspaper or excelsior; these can bring the sodium oxide to the surface, making the glass hazy.
You can smooth chips in glassware by rubbing with fine, wet emery paper. It’s better to have fine glassware and crystal repaired by a professional.
Should stacked glasses get stuck together, put cold water in the inside glass and dunk the outside glass in warm water. Gently pry them apart.