How to Clean Fostoria Crystal

Remove water spots by soaking the crystal in vinegar.

An American creation, Fostoria crystal was manufactured for nearly 100 years, originally in Ohio and then West Virginia. The crystal is now a collectible item, so caring for it properly ensures its value and appearance. Unlike regular glass, crystal contains lead that makes it softer and vulnerable to scratches. The dishwasher is not a good way to clean Fostoria crystal since the hot water can cloud it over time, degrading its appearance and reducing its value as an antique.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber sink mat (optional)
• Kitchen towel (optional)
• Dish soap
• Soft dishrag
• Rubberized dish rack (optional)
• Soft towels

Instructions

1. Place a rubber mat in the bottom of the sink. If you don't have a rubber mat, fold a kitchen towel to fit and lay it on the bottom of the sink. When the Fostoria has lots of dust on it, rinse the pieces before washing to reduce the particulate load in the wash water. Water thick with dirt and dust poses a scratching hazard for the crystal.

2. Fill the sink with warm water and add the normal amount of soap that you typically use. Place just a few pieces in the sink at a time so there is plenty of space between each crystal item.

3. Use the soft dish rag to gently clean the Fostoria crystal. Rinse it well with water that is the same temperature as the wash water and place the piece in a dish rack to drain.

4. Dry the crystal with a soft dish towel and place it in the cabinet with the stem side down. When storing crystal, leave enough space between each item so they don't touch each other.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use abrasive cleansers or sponges with abrasive pads on them on Fostoria crystal.

References

• Fostoria Glass Society of America
• Old Fashioned Living; Caring for Crystal; Brenda Hyde