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Jean asked: How do I clean antique beveled glass? I have an antique table that has beveled glass all the way around it. It looks like there is white streaks in the corners and some on the glass. Ordinary glass cleaner isn’t working. Thank you.
It’s not unusual over the years for antique glass to collect white streaks or spots, which are most commonly caused by minerals in water. Abrasive cleaners can scratch glass and only worsen the problem, but this creative approach offers superb cleaning without harsh chemicals or abrasives. Your glass will look like new.
You Will Need:
- Denture Cleaner
- Soft toothbrush
- Microfiber glass cleaning cloth
- Bowl
- Water
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Start by making a paste out of the denture cleaner and water.
- Apply it directly to the white streaks or spots on the glass. Be careful not to get it on anything other than the glass.
- Work the denture cleaner into the stain with the soft toothbrush. You can also use a textured towel. Do NOT use abrasive materials as they will scratch and damage the glass surface.
- If the marks don’t come up, apply more paste and allow it to sit for a while.
- Repeat as needed.
- Wipe clean with the microfiber glass cleaning cloth.
Additional Tips and Advice
- You can try with any denture cleaner to start, but if you don’t have favorable results try a professional quality cleaner. They work better on stubborn stains and mineral deposits.
- Vinegar is often suggested for cleaning glass, but be careful on antique glass. The acid in vinegar may etch the surface, especially if it’s already damaged or weakened due to age.
How do I remove a glass on a coffee table that may have been glued on so I can clean the other side without cracking it?
Sue,
The best removal method depends on what type of material the glass is glued to. If it’s wood, then any solvent you use to dissolve the glue can soak into the wood, damaging it. If it’s metal, then using solvents isn’t as much of a problem. For wood, the best solution is probably to try heat. Warm up the glued areas with a hair dryer until the glue becomes loose. For metal, you can try using a solvent like isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or even Goo Gone to dissolve the glue.
However, these glass tops are not usually glued in for exactly this reason (cleaning, as well as replacement if needed). It is more likely that something sticky has seeped into the seams from a spilled drink or something similar and is making it seem like the glass is glued. Use the method in this article first: How to Remove Stuck Glass Coffee Table Top.