Caring for Antique Ceramics and Glass

For antique ceramics or glass, accidental breakage is probably the biggest risk factor when it comes to handling and cleaning. To be able to avoid this, you need to be careful.

Your hands should be dry and clean before handling the glass or ceramics. Don't wear cotton gloves while handling ceramics or glass, as cotton gloves have less traction and the antique glass or ceramics could slip from your hands. Also, grip or pick it up where it is safest and always support it at the base.

If antique ceramics or glass is displayed in a cabinet, then make sure that the cabinet is stable or else your valuable antique piece could fall off from.

Never immerse low fired earthenware such as delftware, faience or maiolica in water as they may have an unglazed foot rims or old cracks or chips which expose the porous surface beneath the glaze. It is much safer to wipe them with cotton wool moistened with some mild soapy water.

You may be able to shift tide marks from glass such as wine stains in a decanter with a solution of denture cleaner and warm water or with acetic acid or vinegar. Just leave your chosen mixture in the glass for 24hrs then rinse, drain and dry thoroughly.


Methylated spirits or pure alcohol can be tried for stains caused by alcohol based perfumes, but change the alcohol every hour or so until the stain has gone.

Ammonia or ordinary household bleach which contains chlorine will remove stains on most glass, as long as there is no gilding or other fragile decoration. NOTE: This is not suitable for ceramics as it may aggravate the stain or cause permanent discolouration.

For more stubborn stains wipe with a cloth moistened in warm water with a few drops of methylated spirits and some household detergent, then rinse with clean water using a well rung out chamois leather. Protect the frame with a piece of thin card.

Where grime has built up on stained or leaded windows brush it off gently with a soft bristled brush and as long as the surface is stable, clean with cotton wool moistened with the same methylated spirit and detergent solution used for mirrors.


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