How to Clean Crystal With Toothpaste

Restore the brillance of your crystal with a quick toothpaste cleaning.

Because of overuse, dirt or micro-scratches, any crystal object can lose its bright sheen. Cleaning the crystal with soap and water may remove the dirt but does little to remove the micro-scratches that will continue to make the crystal appear dirty. One thing that can remove the scratches as well as clean the crystal surface is toothpaste. Toothpastes contain mild abrasives that smooth out scratches as well as cleansers that remove dirt, leaving your crystal looking crystal clear.

Things You'll Need

• Soft jeweler's cloth
• Paper towels
• White baking soda toothpaste
• Toothbrush

Instructions

1. Rinse the crystal in warm water and a soft jeweler's cloth to remove loose dirt and debris. Remove most of the water by patting the surface with paper towels, leaving the crystal slightly damp.

2. Place a bead of toothpaste on a soft toothbrush. Scrub the crystal surface with the toothbrush, using small, firm circular motions to cover the entire piece. The toothpaste should appear as a haze.

3. Rinse the brush under running water, then rinse the toothpaste off the crystal, using the jeweler's cloth and warm water. Dip the brush into water and scrub off any toothpaste trapped in areas you can't reach with a sponge.

4. Pat the crystal surface completely dry with paper towels.

Tips & Warnings

• You can easily drop wet crystal, so work slowly and carefully.

References

• Cleaning Tips: How to Clean Cloudy Glassware