Hi gizmo,
Crystal is very delicate, owing to the lead oxides used to make it
dense and ?sparkly?. The very lead oxide that makes your crystal
reflective, causes the glass to be softer, and prone to scratches.
Crystal should be hand washed, using warm water to wash and rinse, as
this kind of glass is sensitive to temperature changes.
I would first try a small amount of plain old white vinegar,
diluted a bit with water, on a very soft cloth. (A very well used
cloth baby diaper would be perfect, or an old tee shirt). Wipe the
cloudy area gently, and rinse immediately with tepid water, not cold.
If the glasses are gold-rimmed, take care not to get vinegar on the
rims.
The following German-Toasting-Glasses site also recommends adding a
bit of vinegar to the wash water to prevent lime (calcium) build up.
To remove calcium, this is their recommendation ? If you notice that
your crystal has a haze or clouding look to it and are having trouble
removing it, you need to move to the next level and try cleaning with
a hard water stain remover such as CLR or Lime Away. Some people have
even used #000 very fine steel wool with a mild dish detergent to
remove stubborn haze. But I wouldn't resort to the steel wool unless
none of the other solutions worked.?
http://www.german-toasting-glasses.com/crystal_care.html
If ordinary vinegar doesn?t do the trick, Planet Natural has a
non-toxic lime removal product, called Lime Eater. ?Removes lime and
calcium buildup, soap scum, water spots and rust without fumes or
harsh mineral acids. Great for cleaning showers, tubs, sinks, fixtures
and glass soiled by frequent contact with water. Natural lime scent.?
http://www.planetnatural.com/cleaningproducts2.html
The Michigan State University Extension website explains that cloudy
glass is called ?Sick glass? and prescribes using denture tablets!
?Cloudy glass, also called "sick" glass, is a natural
side effect of aging. To minimize this problem, fill the vessel with
water then add denture tablets and let stand until the clouds
disappear.?
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod02/01500614.html
Home and Garden TV?s web site recommends a mixture of lemon juice and
baking soda, or a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar, brushing with a
very soft toothbrush.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_cleaning_tips_hints/article/0,1801,HGTV_3111_1399375,00.html
To summarize, I would start with the diluted vinegar on a very soft
cloth. If the stains persist, try other methods,such as the denture
cleaner or Lime Eater, saving the mixture of baking soda and lemon
juice as a last resort, to avoid the possibility of scratches.
Additionally, since you may live in an area with a high water calcium
content, you might have other calcium/lime build-ups! A local radio
celebrity who has made it big, Linda Cobb, The Queen of Clean,
recommends the following for de-liming your other glassware and
dishwasher ?De-Liming the Dishwasher and Glassware :This method serves
two purposes by cleaning out the dishwasher and removing the white
mineral residue from glassware. Put all of your glassware into the
dishwasher and place a bowl with 1-1/2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach
in the bottom. Do not add dishwasher detergent. Run the dishwasher
through the wash and rinse cycles but not the dry cycle. Next, empty
the bowl and add 1-1/2 cups of white vinegar and run the dishwasher
through the wash, rinse and dry cycles. If you have a heavy mineral
buildup, you may need to do this a few times, then keep it up with a
monthly or bi-monthly cleaning, depending upon what best suits your
needs.?
http://www.queenofclean.com/tips/index.html#delime
Well, gizmo, I hope this answer is crystal clear to you! If not, or if
I have duplicated information you already have, please request an
Answer Clarification, before rating this answer. This will allow me to
further assist you.
Regards,
crabcakes-ga
Search Strategy
I already knew of vinegar's (acetic acid) calcium dissolving properties
Queen of Clean
Cleaning crystal
Removing calcium build up crystal |
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