Saint-Louis Care Guide

Saint-Louis crystal is best washed by hand. A few simple habits protect its clarity and any gold or platinum decoration.

Glasses and tableware

• Wash by hand with a soft sponge and a mild dish soap.
• Let glasses drain on absorbent paper, then dry them gently with a linen towel or a soft, lint-free cloth.
• If you use a dishwasher, choose a moderate-temperature program and a small dose of powder detergent, and space the pieces well apart.
• Never put pieces decorated with gold or platinum in the dishwasher, and never use white vinegar on them.
• To avoid thermal shock, warm teacups and coffee cups under lukewarm water, and chill an ice bucket with cool water, before use.

Decanters

• Rinse with clear, lukewarm water after use, and don't leave wine standing in them.
• To remove tannin or limescale marks from undecorated crystal, fill with equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water, leave as long as needed, then rinse.
• To dry without condensation marks, slip a long strip of absorbent paper inside so it hangs well out of the neck.

Metal and porcelain pieces

• Silver-plated and gilded metal: hand wash with a soft sponge and soapy water, and dry carefully with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid anything that scratches, as well as bleach and rubber. Now and then, use a lotion made for silver plate, or for gold and vermeil on gilded metal.
• Porcelain: hand wash with a soft sponge, lukewarm water and a non-abrasive dish soap, never the abrasive side of the sponge. Rinse after use rather than letting tea or coffee stand.

Candlesticks

• Never leave a lit candle unattended or move it while lit, and don't burn it for more than two hours at a time.
• Replace the candle when the flame is about 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) from the crystal, and put it out with a snuffer, never with water.

Lighting

• Always switch off the power before cleaning or changing a bulb.
• Wash removable crystal parts by hand. If the crystal can't be separated from the electrical parts, dust it with a soft, lint-free cloth and no water. Lighting never goes in the dishwasher.
• Crystal can stay hot after a lamp has been on for a long time. Handle frosted shades with clean hands, since they mark easily with grease.

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Questions about caring for a piece? Email info@paristableware.com or call (201) 652-4233.