Fine, sparkling crystal pieces add a wonderful ambience to any table setting, so we've gathered care tips here that will help your crystal be all it can be!

Crystal Care

Replacements recommends hand washing crystal. Before you begin the actual washing of the pieces, it is recommended that you remove all jewelry items, and swing the faucet away from the wash area to prevent damage. Other tips:

• Wash crystal in water that is lukewarm in temperature.
• Use mild, nonabrasive detergent. Using less detergent is generally better, excess detergent can leave residue on crystal surfaces. Do not use abrasive pads or steel wool to remove debris.
• Add vinegar to rinse water to keep crystal brilliant and spot-free.
• Immediately dry your crystal with a paper towel or a lint-free cloth. One additional note, avoid twisting glasses from the base, as this can create enough torque in the stem of delicate glass to break the piece.

Special Tips for "Cloudy" Crystal

Crystal can become clouded when heat from a dishwasher combines with lime, calcium, rust, or other minerals in the dish water to "bake" the minerals into the pores of the crystal. If your crystal has developed a 'cloudy' tint from years of use or dishwasher cleaning, the following methods may be helpful for more thorough cleaning (these methods are not recommended for crystal with gold or platinum trim, as they may remove the trim):

• Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth and one of the "soft scrub with bleach" variety cleansers to rub the inside of the bowl of your glass. Let the piece sit for several hours with the cleanser applied, then rinse thoroughly by hand.
• For decanters with residue in the bottom portion of the container, mix the same "soft scrub with bleach" cleanser with crushed ice and "swirl" the mixture around for a few minutes. Let the decanter stand for several hours (or overnight) with the mixture inside, then rinse thoroughly by hand.
• The packaged cleaner known as "CLR" (which can be found at most household goods, grocery, drug, or hardware stores) can be poured into each cloudy piece of crystal. Let the pieces sit for several hours (or overnight), and then rinse thoroughly by hand. (Be careful not to spill this cleaner on untested surfaces such as counter tops).

Storage

• Store crystal pieces "right side up" (foot down) to help protect the delicate rims.

• Always give crystal 'breathing room' in the storage area. Glass expands in hot temperatures, and extra space will allow the pieces to move without touching one another; thus, eliminating the possibly of damage.