Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at
5:58 am
Do you have a Waterford crystal vase or other crystal items? Do you want to know how to care for them? Great! This article will help you to do it in the right way. You will learn everything about cleaning Waterford crystal products.
Many people already lost one or more of their precious possessions because they wanted to save time and didn’t research the care of crystal vases.
Follow my top tips if you want to protect your precious collection:
#1 – Dishwasher + Crystal = No-Go
This is extremely important – putting your crystal vase in a dishwasher when it’s dirty is a no-go. Recently companies advertise with dishwashers with crystal settings which are supposed to protect your precious items. But after doing some research I found out that people have had numerous experiences with shattered crystal in those dishwashers, too.
No, I don't think all dishwashers are dangerous and their crystal setting is dangerous… but I'd rather spend 5 minutes of my time to do the job than taking such a high risk.
#2 - Lukewarm Water
I recommend you to wash your Waterford crystal products by hand using lukewarm water. A splash of ammonia is said to stop pitting and spotting. Vigorous rubbing can easily cause big scratches on your crystal. That's why the best way to clean your vase it to use slow and circular movement using a smooth sponge.
#3 – Lukewarm Water Again
After you have cleaned your vase you have to remove the rest of the detergents. If you use hot or cold water now you create a temperature difference that might severely damage your precious crystal item.
#4 – Don’t Use Denture Tabs
A few people claim that denture tabs would be a great way to clean a crystal item. But here's the truth: Denture tabs might cause a leeching of the lead content that accumulates in the glass.
The next time you use the crystal glass to drink some wine you would also drink the lead content. Do you want to drink dangerous lead content with your exquisite wine?
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at
9:17 pm
I cannot overemphasize how much I love crystal. A little beauty can add so much value to your life. But when I see how some people treat their crystal like cheap glass I cringe and feel like punching them in the face. Sorry, but these are pieces of art, somebody put their heart into it!
If you're an owner of fine crystal yourself, please follow at least these 3 essential tips for crystal care and cleaning:
Tip #1 – Never Use Dish Washing Detergent – Ever
Dish washing detergent is very abrasive which means it will ruin your crystal in no time. A great way of getting rid off a piece you don't like, for example, one you got from a relative you don't like, is by washing it with dish washing detergent. Then, if they ask you why you don't have it anymore next time they visit, just tell them how sorry you are but you didn't know...
Tip #2 – Use Warm Water With A Little Lemon Soap
Always wash your crystal very carefully. The weight of crystal could give you the impression that it's durable. The weight is due to the lead that’s in the crystal. But that doesn’t mean it’s durable. So be very careful. I once broke an authentic Waterford crystal vase by accident – imagine my frustration…
Tip #3 – Rinse With Warm Water
When you’re done washing your crystal clean it with warm water. Don’t use cold water under any circumstances. Even slight changes in temperature can lead to cracking and clouding.
Tip #4 – Dry With A Soft Cotton Cloth
After you washed it you want to rub it dry with a clean cloth. Don't let it dry by itself or it might stain if you didn't rinse enough or used the wrong water.
Tip #5 – Carry One Piece At A Time
Especially if you're carrying stemware. One person I know broke a few crystal wine glasses because she wanted to act elegant in front of their dinner guests. The glasses hit against each other and the stems broke which ruined the whole evening for her.
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Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at
3:08 pm
Collecting Waterford Crystal has become quite popular over the last few years. No matter if you start off with a Waterford crystal vase, a lamp, a bowl or the priceless reproduction of baseball equipment – collecting Waterford is a rewarding experience.
But they are not only for collectors – display your beautiful vase on a shelf and with some decoration - it catches the light beautifully and adds class to your home.
Where should we start?
Now, there are so many great pieces of art, you should choose one kind of item to begin your collection with. That’s why I suggest you to start with a decorative item that’s not too expensive and instantly catches your eye: A beautiful Waterford crystal vase.
As you get more and more comfortable with the process of finding and buying items, you can add more expensive Waterford products.
The Best Way To Purchase Waterford Products
Living in the modern age makes collecting Waterford an easy and enjoyable task. It’s never been so easy to spot great offers, rare collectibles or get hot tips on Waterford products! I recommend you to spend some time on the internet and get accustomed to the market before purchasing your first Waterford crystal vase.
This way you will get a feeling for the worth of the product and you will find the vase that suits your home the most.
Caring for Your Waterford Crystal Collection
Crystal is delicate and shouldn’t be treated like any other vase or glass. Never wash your Waterford vase in a dishwasher! If the crystal doesn't break by accident, the dish washing detergent will ruin the crystal and it will look foggy.
It's important to wash your Waterford crystal vase by hand with mild soap and warm water. Then remove all deposits of soap to prevent stains on your crystal.
I hope you got some value from my Waterford starter guide – Go ahead and start your priceless collection right now.
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Monday, June 7th, 2010 at
2:06 am
Waterford crystal is an elegant decoration and a statuesque addition to your Waterford collection. I want to tell you how to care for your precious Waterford crystal vase. More than one priceless crystal vase broke due to the carelessness of its owner, so here are some basic tips to protect your prized collection.
Never Put Your Waterford Crystal Vase in a Dishwasher
Maybe you have heard Dishwasher companies telling you that by now it was safe to put crystal into a dishwasher. Quite a few machines now come with a crystal setting meant to protect the precious items.
A few minutes of your time are not worth putting your possession in danger! If you sift through some of the stories floating around you will find a lot of mentions of breakage and chipping. And even if your Waterford crystal vase does not break – many owners complain about their vases losing their brilliance and sparkle after a few times in the dishwasher.
The Correct Way to Wash Your Waterford Crystal Vase
Wash your vases by hand, using lukewarm water. Some owners of Waterford crystal recommend a bit of ammonia to prevent pitting. When cleaning it, use light, circular motions instead of vigorous rubbing. Otherwise the likelihood of minor scratches is much higher.
After cleaning your Waterford crystal vase, dry it with a soft cloth and do NOT put any hot or cold liquid inside until the vase is completely dry! A sudden chance in temperature can easily cause breakage and stress fractures.
Denture Tabs – Good Or Bad?
Many people recommend denture tabs. They claim that it’s a great way to remove stains on the crystal.
While it might be a good way of cleaning your crystal vase, I recommend you to stay away from those tabs. Here's the reason why: Waterford crystal contains a small percentage of lead to increase and perfect the beautiful reflections. Now, the Denture Tabs can cause leeching of the lead content.
The lead lingers later when filling it with water, wine or whiskey? In my opinion it’s safer to stick to the hand washing to care for your Waterford crystal vase – and your health.
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