Antique vintage items are exquisite accessories to every home and need to be handled with extra care. Here is how to do it.
Treat antique glass with gentle care and never put it in a dishwasher. Likewise, the glazes on older ceramics may not be very stable and are almost certainly not dishwasher-proof. Instead, wash them in warm, mild suds using a sponge or soft cloth. Do not scrub, it will only make it worst. Just accept that some marks cannot be removed.
To get rid of tea and coffee stains from pots, put in a couple of teaspoons (more for big pots and heavy staining) of baking soda and top up with warm water. Leave overnight and wash in the morning.
Clean out vases, jugs and decanters using the same method. In case there are persistent stains, use vinegar. Rub it on or add water (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) and leave it soak. Alternatively, if you have a couple of denture tablets drop them into a vase full of water overnight.
Hand Wash With Care
- It’s always best to wash precious items by hand. A plastic bowl has a soft surface, but washing items directly in the sink gives more room for manoeuvres. Either way, put a cloth (one or two tea towels or a terry towel) on the bottom to protect from damages.
- Get rid of loose, surface dust before washing.
- Use a gentle, colourless washing liquid.
- Wash in warm suds using a sponge or cloth and a soft brush, such as a blusher brush, to get into crevices and around handles. Do not rub too hard.
- Drain on a dish-drainer or draining board lined with a towel or cloth.
- Leave to air dry or dry carefully with a clean, soft tea towel or a hair-dryer on a low setting.
- Gently buff up the surface with a soft cloth.
Now you know how to preserve your vintage accessories.