Handle With Care
Keep collectibles sparkling and stain-free

Some household items require a little extra TLC when it comes to keeping them clean. Here’s how to keep fragile items sparkling.

Porcelain or China Figurines
Once a month, chase away dust in the creases of your china figurines with a small, soft-bristle paintbrush. For greasy buildup, line your sink with a towel, hold the china or porcelain piece at its sturdiest spot, and wash in warm water and dishwashing liquid. Try Dawn^® Direct Foam™ dishwashing liquid, which only requires one pump for an entire sink full of dishes.* Simply apply the soap on the sponge, and squeeze the sponge to reactivate the foam. Use a soft sponge and scrub only where there are stains, and air-dry the figurines on a towel-lined surface.

Vases
Don’t soak vases in soapy water to loosen the grime. The porous nature of china and earthenware may allow water to seep under the surface of the glaze. The safest method to rid your vases of stains and dried-on dirt is with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Gently rub away stains with a nylon-mesh pad but never with an abrasive sponge. Be mindful that a soapy vase is a slippery vase. Keep a firm grip on the piece as you wash it. Let it air-dry. A blast from a hair dryer set medium will help dry the interior of the vase.

Crystal Chandelier Pieces
Crystal is softer than glass and more easily scratched. And crystal pieces cannot withstand extremes in temperature, so don’t even think about putting them in the dishwasher. Your best bet for maintaining their sparkle is to line your sink with a towel and gently wash them with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Avoid breakage by washing one piece at a time and setting on a towel-lined surface to air-dry.

Glass Candlesticks
The first step in removing hardened wax from candlesticks is to gently pick off chunks with your fingers. Then remove any waxy bits left on the glass by using a soft cloth dampened with denatured alcohol. Once the wax is gone, carefully hand wash candlesticks with hot water and some dishwashing liquid. Guard against future wax buildup by burning dripless tapers or by fitting bobeche (glass drip catchers) around the base of your candle.