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Tips and Advice

How to clean crystal glasses and cups?
Tips and Advice

How to clean crystal glasses and cups?

By Miranda Perea - 2022-12-19T17:21:00Z
Read in English

Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners are special moments when it is common to gather with our loved ones to celebrate, and what better way to do it than with a toast where we remember and give thanks for all the good things the year has brought us.

To achieve this, there is nothing like using crystal glassware, which, with its shine and beauty, will add the perfect touch to your celebrations. That’s why at Kiwilimon, we share the best tips for cleaning crystal glasses and goblets so you can impress your guests with a memorable toast.

You can also read: How to clean a stainless steel pot

What is the difference between glass and crystal?


It is common for us to refer to glass and crystal as the same thing. After all, they share characteristics that make them look similar; however, they are two very different materials, and below we will tell you about their differences so that you can care for them properly.

On one hand, we have glass, which, according to the website DKristal, is a ceramic material obtained by fusing silica, sodium carbonate, and limestone at 1500 °C. It is important to highlight that glass is 100% recyclable and significantly cheaper than crystal.

On the other hand, there is the material that people usually refer to as crystal. It should be clarified that the correct name for this material is crystal glass, as crystal, in the strict sense, is what we can find in nature in the form of quartz, for example. However, for practical purposes, we will continue to refer to it as crystal. This material is a kind of improved glass because lead oxide is added to its composition, giving it the transparency, sound, and shine that characterize it, as stated by the website Ecología Verde.

Among the characteristics that differentiate crystal from glass are that the composition of crystal allows for more complex designs for decorative purposes, in addition to the fact that crystal glass objects are more transparent and reflect light in a very particular way. Additionally, crystal is more durable than glass, allowing for the production of thinner and more long-lasting objects.

An easy way to differentiate glass from crystal is to perform a sound test. You can gently tap a glass or goblet as if you were going to make a toast; if you hear a lasting chime, it is crystal, as noted by Scully and Scully. Another option is to run a wet finger around the rim of the glass or goblet; if it is crystal, you will hear a subtle sound.

You can also read: How to clean your Teflon cookware

How to clean crystal goblets?
Thanks to their finish and beautiful designs, crystal glassware can add a unique touch of elegance and sophistication to your celebrations for special occasions, including Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners. Therefore, it is a good idea to dust off your crystal glasses and goblets and make them shine for a toast that everyone will remember. Below, we will tell you how to clean crystal glasses and goblets so they look spectacular.

Nowadays, most crystal glasses and goblets can be washed in the dishwasher, but it is recommended to wash them by hand to avoid chipping or scratching from other items. For this reason, it is preferable to wash the glasses and goblets one by one to prolong their lifespan.

The main thing is to protect your crystal goblets and glasses, so it is a good idea to place a rubber mat, cloth, or towel to cover the bottom and walls of the sink to prevent your glassware from getting scratched or chipped from any accidental bump.

Next, fill the sink or a container with a mixture of warm water and dish soap and soak your glasses and goblets for about 1 minute. Afterwards, use a soft sponge or a microfiber cloth to carefully scrub your glassware, as noted by the website The Organic Maids. When you finish, rinse the glasses and goblets and dry them with a clean, lint-free cloth.

To prevent any residue from hard water, which are those annoying white spots that dull surfaces, you can add a bit of white vinegar to the mixture. Additionally, to give your crystal glasses and goblets an extra shine, you can rinse them with a mixture of water and a little yellow lemon juice, as noted by the website Gurasu.

Once your crystal glasses and goblets are clean, they will be ready to shine on your Christmas, New Year's, or any other special occasion table. However, if you are not going to use them soon, it is best to store them in a showcase or somewhere they will not come into contact with other objects that could bump and scratch them and where, preferably, they are protected from dust to avoid dulling.

With these tips, you will be able to make the best toasts and enjoy your crystal glasses and goblets that will be sparkling clean. Remember that at Kiwilimon you can find the best cleaning tips that will help you shine as the best host at your special celebrations.