Get your glassware sparkling clean

By observing a few basic rules, you can banish smudges and water rings on decanters, vases and glasses — without breaking them.

People have treasured luminous stemware and beautiful crystal collectibles for centuries and they are proudly handed down from one generation to another. When you have company over, you want to make sure that your nicest glassware looks its best. Not only do you want it to be impressive, but, of course, it is also practical and important to serve food and drinks with clean glassware and plates.But caution is required when you go to clean your glass or crystal. Being very fragile, they need a little special attention, and should be handled with care. By observing a few basic rules, you can banish smudges and water rings on decanters, vases and glasses — without breaking them.

These handy tips will ensure your glasswear is fit for a palace table, or the one in your dining room.

• Help crystal maintain its shine by washing it only in warm water, then rinsing and drying. Or wash crystal in hot, soapy water; rinse with hot water and dry.
• Clean narrow-necked glass containers with a bottle brush moistened with vinegar and water.
• Remove hard-to-reach dirt in a decanter or container with crumbled eggshells and lemon juice. Let stand for two days, slosh back and forth a few times and rinse.
• Combat green algae in a vase. Add a handful of black tea leaves and douse them with vinegar, then tip the vase back and forth until the green coating completely disappears.
• Buff leaded crystal vases with a chamois cloth after they have been washed.

You can combat serious dirt or clouding on glassware with a salt and vinegar paste.

You will need: 

• 75 ml (1/3  c) salt
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) vinegar

What to do:

1. Mix the salt and vinegar to form a paste.
2. Spread the paste on the inside of the vase or glass, using your finger or a soft brush.
3. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then empty and rinse with clear water.