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Looking at a display of glass awards and crystal trophies always invokes a sense of pride in the recipient. When those hard-earned glass awards and crystal trophies are dirty or show signs of damage and wear, however, you might want to consider cleaning them.
It isn’t hard to restore the glass awards and crystal trophies to their original luster, however, or at least make them shine and sparkle again. It only takes a few basic cleaning supplies and repair materials.
To clean them, take a soft rag (an old t-shirt will be perfect). Do not apply any cleaner to the rag yet; rather, use one part of the dry rag to remove the surface dirt from both the trophies themselves and the base, if there is one.
Now, take your still-dry rag and vigorously shake it out. This will remove any loose dirt and dust that accumulated from the “dry run”. Then, go to a completely clean part of the rag.
Now, you are ready to use your cleaner. However, you will not be applying the cleaner directly to your glass awards and crystal trophies. Rather, you will spray the cleaner directly onto the cloth, and then wipe it onto the trophies.
A commercial glass cleaner such as Windex® is fine, but it should not be a multi-surface cleaner, even if the label says it is streak-free and can be used on glass. In this case, it might harm the etching. If you want to try a multi-surface cleaner, however, do a spot-test first, both on the glass awards and crystal trophies and the engraving.
Plain white vinegar mixed with water is also a good cleaner. It is slightly acidic, so make sure you dilute it. If you are using a spray container to apply it, put about ¼ to 1/3 cup of vinegar in the bottle, then finish filling the container with water. Shake it well, and then squirt it about two or three times into a trash can. This will ensure the vinegar and water have thoroughly mixed together.
If your glass awards and crystal trophies are mounted on wooden bases, use the same cleaner to gently clean them. If the bases have become scratched or nicked, a furniture scratch remover, such as Old English®, should cover it nicely. If the base is the same material as the award itself and has been nicked or scratched, professional repairing may be needed.
Taking the time to clean and maintain your glass awards and crystal trophies will be well worth it. You will enjoy looking at them again, and showing them to others. So, don’t be shy. After all, you earned each and every one of the glass awards and crystal trophies you have.
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