Is it safe to wash crystal in the dishwasher?

A Soviet legacy, crystal, still holds a significant place in household items. Almost every home has a dinnerware set, vase, and other crystal items. They, like everything else, require care and cleaning. However, washing crystal in the dishwasher requires extreme caution to minimize the risk of cracks and other damage. Let's explore the nuances of washing crystal in the dishwasher.

The crystal may be damaged.

It's no wonder that crystal is always depicted in fairy tales as something extremely fragile and delicate. Real crystal does indeed withstand mechanical stress and temperature fluctuations poorly. Glass corrosion, a phenomenon that crystal is also susceptible to if handled improperly, manifests itself as numerous small scratches and microcracks. When loading delicate glassware into the dishwasher, follow these guidelines:

• choose a delicate mode;
• If this is not provided, select the shortest program, manually setting the temperature to 40 degrees;
• When washed in a dishwasher, copper, silver, and aluminum items release elements that can leave a yellow residue on adjacent dishes. Avoid placing them in this position.
• The softer the water, the better for crystal, as the salts in hard water damage the surface. If the results are less than ideal, use an emollient;
• wash gold-plated items by hand;
• Before putting the dishes in the dishwasher, scrape off any food residue by hand.

Important! Hard water often leaves streaks that even hand washing won't remove. In this case, use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher. This drying method removes water droplets from the surface, preventing streaks.

To summarize: washing crystal in the dishwasher is not recommended; it's best to wash it by hand. However, you can occasionally use a dishwasher, but be sure to follow all safety precautions. This will prevent damage or harm to your crystal.

Features of placing dishes

Another peculiarity of washing dishes in a dishwasher is the constant vibrations. As mentioned earlier, crystal does not tolerate mechanical impact, so care must be taken to prevent breakage during the process. It's best to secure glasses and other fragile items on shelves.

This can be done using special silicone or plastic holders. Sometimes they even come with the dishwasher, or are purchased separately. If you don't have any holders, use regular clothespins.

What to do with crystal before and after washing in the dishwasher?

If you're washing crystal in a dishwasher, you need to ensure proper care before and afterward. For example, if dirt has accumulated at the bottom of a vase, pitcher, or other deep object, it's best to remove it by hand. Fill the bottom with water, add a splash of vinegar, and sprinkle with coarse salt, then shake.

• Warm water with vinegar and salt not only removes stains but also gives the dishware a neat appearance after washing, eliminating streaks and cloudiness. Simply rinse the dishware in this solution.
• Ammonia can help preserve the appearance of gilded items. Add a few drops to water and rinse the gilded item.
• Never hold glasses by the stem when washing or rinsing them, as this could break them. Hold them by the base.
• If you want to dry your crystal, use a cotton cloth. Towels and napkins are not suitable for this purpose, as they will leave behind a lot of small lint.

Cleaning crystal in the dishwasher is acceptable. Just follow the manufacturer's recommendations, or if there aren't any, the tips listed above. This will ensure your crystal maintains its integrity and attractive appearance for a long time.

   

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