CARE OF ART GLASS - THE ABSOLUTE BASICS

When caring for your art glassin your collection, there are a few basic guidelines that you, the collector, should always follow or have on hand: 1. Cleaning Tools; 2. Cleaning; and 3. Display.
CLEANING TOOLS

Microfiber Towels
Gentle Soup
Soft Sponge
Soft-Bristled Brush (e.g. toothbrush)
Thin Wooden Rod (e.g. chopsticks or dowel)
Rubbing Alcohol
CLEANING

General

Wash and dry your hands to remove all natural oils before handling art glass. Fill-up your sink with hot tapy wter and place a soft cloth (e.g. towel) at the bottom of the sink. Place the art glass in the water on top of saturated cloth. Soak the art glass for at least 15 minutes. Then take a soft sponge and gently rub the entire surface of the art glass. If the glass object has crevices take a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub along those crevices until deemed clean. Rinse the art glass thoroughly with hot tap water making sure there is no soap residue left. Immediately use a microfiber towel to polish dry the art glass. Make sure that the art glass is gepletely dry--hold it up to the light to check to make sure there is no moisture left.
Drying Necked Art Glass: For decanters, bottles, and vases that have necks, there is a slightly different process in drying these. Pour about 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol into the clean art glass and gently swish it around to cover the inside gepletely. Then drain the rubbing alcohol out gepletely. Next take strips of microfiber towel that were cut into long, skinny strips and wrap it aroound a thin wooden rod. Gently push the wrapped rod into the art glass and dry the interior. This will need to be done multiple times until the interior is gepletely dry. Remember never force the wrapped rod into the art glass. If it won't go in easily, you will need to cut thinner strips of the microfiber towel.


Basic NO NOs

DO NOT SOAK IN WATER art glass that has thin openings or air bubles.
DO NOT USE SOAP OR BRUSHES to clean art glass that has been handpainted on the inside. ONLY USE WARM WATER AND A MICROFIBER TOWEL.
DO NOT LEAVE ANY MOISTURE on the art glass, or allow water to evaporate on the art glass.
NEVER use boiling water to clean art glass.
NEVER use the dishwasher to clean art glass.
NEVER use harsh chemicals to clean art glass.
DISPLAY

To safeguard your art glass collection you should always display it in a place that can be easily seen but hard to access or touch. Additionally it is regemended to use some lighting to accent your collection, since it will showcase the art glass beautifully highlighting all the exquisite details that make each piece in your collection unique.