How to Clean Glassware, Crystal, Mirrors and Windows
Annealing Glass
Immerse the glass in a pan of cold water, then slowly heat until it is boiling. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool. This will protect the glass from cracking in very hot water, but if the glass is to be exposed to higher temperatures, boil in oil instead of water.
Cleaning Glass Bottles
To clean oily bottles, fill them with fine ashes and place in a pan of cold water. Gradually heat the water till it boils, then simmer for thirty minutes. When cool, wash out the ashes with cold running water, wash in hot soapy water, then rinse and dry.
Cleaning Crystal
Crystal should only be washed by hand. Use warm sudsy water with a little added vinegar to prevent clouding. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Cover the shelves used for storing crystal with felt or thick paper to prevent the glass from chipping or cracking.
Cleaning Decanters
To clean decanters, fill with warm water and add 1 tablespoon of baking powder and some crushed eggshells. Leave for twelve hours, stirring occasionally. Then rinse with warm water and a little ammonia. To remove wine stains from decanters, pour about two inches white vinegar into the decanter with fairly hot water. Shake it vigorously and leave to soak overnight, then shake again, rinse well and wash in hot soapy water. Rinse again and dry.
Cleaning Glassware
When washing valuable pieces of glass, place a think towel in the bottom of the washing bowl. When the cut glass clouds and ordinary washing does not clean it, cover the glass with wet potato peelings and leave for twenty-four hours. Then rinse in cold water and dry.
Cleaning Mirrors, Windows and Picture Glass
To clean the glass, rub gently with a soft rag dipped in turpentine, denatured alcohol or kerosene. Then polish with crumpled newspaper to give a brilliant sheen. To prevent the glass from steaming up, wipe with a soft cloth and a little glycerine after cleaning and drying. To make windows opaque temporarily, dissolve 2 tablespoons Epsom salts in 2 cups (1/2 liter) water and apply the mixture evenly with a sponge. To remove fly stains from glass, wipe with a woolen cloth dipped in denatured alcohol. To remove dried paint from windows, rub the paint with the edge of a coin. When all the paint has been scraped away, wipe the window with a damp cloth and polish with a chamois cloth. To remove paint spots from glass, rub vigorously with any of the following: linseed oil, hot white vinegar, turpentine or a strong solution of washing soda.
Cleaning Thermos Bottles
Fill the thermos three-quarters full with warm water and add 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda. Replace the stopper and shake vigorously, then rinse well and dry. This will remove the musty smell.
