How to Clean & Redo Antique Glass Christmas Ornaments
Bring out the best in your antique glass Christmas ornaments before hanging them on your tree this year. Though their original shine may be more matte than glossy, and their bright colors may have faded, clean ornaments stand out against an evergreen's needles better---and can be more easily appreciated---than dirty ornaments. Replacing ornament hooks ensures that your refreshed antiques stay on the tree. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Clean, soft cloth
- Soapy water
- Glass cleaner, gel-based
- 2 oz. white vinegar
- 1 qt. tap water
- Ornament hooks
Instructions
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Dust your antique glass Christmas ornament between uses with a soft cloth. This is a good preventative measure to keep dust from accumulating on your ornament over time, eventually forming a layer of grime.
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Submerge your ornament in warm, soapy water and gently wash it using your hands only. Dry it gently with a clean, dry cloth or allow it to air dry. This will remove layers of dust that may have formed on your ornament.
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Use a commercial glass cleaner (gel-based is preferred, as it is gentler than a spray) and a clean cloth to wipe away more stubborn stains and dirt that were not removed by the soapy water.
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Mix 2 oz. white vinegar with 1 qt. tap water and use a clean, dry cloth to gently wipe it onto your ornament. This will help prevent the glass from fogging up.
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5
Replace old ornament hooks with new ones.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't use paper towels to clean your antique Christmas ornaments, as they can leave behind paper particles and make your ornament look fuzzy. Also, the rougher surface of a paper towel can scratch antique glass.
Don't store your antique glass ornaments in a damp basement, as mildew can damage them.
