GLASS CARE
VASE CLEANING
Clean soon after use with a little soap and warm water. To dry, holding upside-down under hot running water can encourage the water residue inside to run out. Water in neck may be dried with chopstick with fabric wrapped around it. Towel dry the outside and let any remaining water inside drain, by placing upside down in the top of a conventional flower vase.
Cleaning can be minimised by using soft water inside the vase, when available.
CLEANING VASE INSIDE
Baby product sterilising tablets are very good for cleaning the inside of the vase.
For more stubborn deposits, we recommend the use of decanter cleaning balls. Add a little water - enough to cover the balls, then gently put the balls inside the vase, with the neck at an angle to reduce the height that the balls fall against the glass. Tilt the vase back and forth so that the balls run over the stained area. Do not shake the vase so that the balls hammer on the glass, in case it causes a crack!
Bottom -
For very stubborn stains in the bottom, we use vinegar with the decanter balls.
Neck -
For stains in the neck, we wrap a small piece of cloth around a chopstick end and rub the stained area with vinegar. We also supply a bottle brush for cleaning deposits inside the neck.
Roof -
For stubborn stains on the inside of the top of the bowl part, we put decanter balls and vinegar inside again. The decanter needs turning upside down so that the balls can run against the glass. We plug the neck with a chopstick wrapped with fabric and then cling film around the fabric. The vase can then be turned upside down so that the decanter balls can be revolved over the stained area.
If using vinegar, wash it out well. If available, rinse out with soft water because when any remaining water evaporates, soft water will leave less residue. Even better for the final rinse is pure alcohol as the residue evaporates quickly.
Dishwashing -
A dishwasher clean is also possible because these are made of non-lead crystal, which of course does not leach lead. If machine washing, we need to line up the vase opening very carefully with one of the holes of the turning blade that gives out the soapy water. It is best to prop the vase up perfectly upright, so that the water drains out at the end of the wash. We use string or plastic kitchen items such as containers or their lids. It is important to avoid forceful wedging.
CLEANING DECANTER INSIDE
Clean soon after use with warm water. Soap is not generally helpful, as wine does not contain fat. Towel dry and let any remaining water inside drain, by placing upside down, safely in a corner or in the top of a flower vase. For more stubborn deposits, we recommend the use of decanter cleaning balls. More detail about cleaning glass here, care of Daniel Primack.
The decanter is borosilicate and may also be cleaned in dishwasher - as above.
More cleaning suggestions may be found on the Victoria & Albert Museum's website here.
