Caring for Glassware

Beautiful doesn't have to mean precious. The glass you're afraid to use is the glass that never earns its place.

Know what you're holding. The Vintage List's hand-engraved crystal is lead-free and made to be dishwasher safe, however our preference is always to hand wash. Use hot water, the smallest amount of dish soap and one glass at a time. For a decanter that's gone cloudy at the base, fill it with hot water and a spoon of baking soda, leave it a few hours, then rinse and dry upside down.

Hand-blown glass, like our recycled Syrian pieces, is a different story. Never use the dishwasher, it etches the surface permanently. Hand wash in warm, not hot, water with a soft cloth and dry immediately so water spots don't set. The one rule that matters most: no sudden temperature change. Don't pour something hot into a glass straight from the fridge, and don't run a warm glass under cold water. Blown glass forgives a lot; thermal shock isn't one of them.

Hand-painted glassware and bedside sets want the gentlest hand of all. Lukewarm water, mild soap, a soft sponge, and hold the piece by the base or bowl, never the painted stem. Dry upside down on a towel. If wine has left a mark, a little white vinegar lifts it before a final rinse.

Storage, whatever you own. Stand stemmed glasses upright on their base, never resting on the rim, and give each piece enough space that nothing knocks against its neighbour. For a soft sparkle at the end, a lint-free cloth worked gently around the bowl and stem finishes the job better than more soap ever will.

Why Imperfection Is the Point