What will remove the gunk from bottom of crystal flower vase?

[dianne]

It''s a very delicate, skinny vase--perfect for one flower--but after repeated uses I let the water get gunky and now I can''t get it clean. The neck is very small so I think I''m going to have to resort to a liquid cleaner that will break down the gunk and rinse clean. I have used Dawn and hot water...and, luckily the hot water didn''t crack it...but not sure if there is a tried and true home remedy for this. Thanks!

 

[tropiqalkiwi]

I unfortunately don''t have any answers for you, but do have the same problem and would love to see if anyone has a solution.

 

[absolut_blonde]

What about vinegar? Gets that scaly gunk off of electric kettles, at least.

 

[KatyWI]

Pour a bunch of kosher salt in it with a little lemon juice and water and swirl it around. Usually I used ice as another abrasive, but it doesn''t sound like you can fit ice into a tiny vase like that

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

pour some dry rice in it with your hot water and dawn, then swish and swirl it around. The rice acts as an abrasive.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Cool ideas! I have a Waterford vase that suffers from water stains (very hard water here) and I end up using CLR (calcium, lime, rust). Probably not the best thing for the vase, but it works.

cheers--Sharon

 

[dianne]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Ok...I used several of the suggestions using items I had on hand. I first used vinegar and added baking soda so it would bubble. The bubbling probably did nothing but made me feel like something was happening...lol. I let it sit a while then I added rice to the mix and shook it like crazy...does seem to be helping some. So rinsed and added hot water and Dawn, shook again, and now soaking. Looks pretty good except for the very bottom. The neck of the vase is big enough I can get my index finger in but just barely. My fridge only makes cubes so can't use ice unless I beat it into little pieces. A baby bottle cleaner might would work but I don't have one, no kosher salt, lemon juice, or C.L.R. on hand, either.

 

[soocool]

You might want to try the white vienegar again but let it sit it there all day.

 

[soocool]

MY DD just chimed in here. How about Polident. She used it on her retainers and now I remember using on one my my vases. I think I dissolved it first and then poured it into the vase.

 

[poshpepper]

Date: 10/9/2009 11:46:39 AM
Author: soocool
MY DD just chimed in here. How about Polident. She used it on her retainers and now I remember using on one my my vases. I think I dissolved it first and then poured it into the vase.

Ditto, I have used this for vases before and it works!

 

[dianne]

Cool! I will try the vinegar again and let it sit all night...if that doesn''t work then Polident''s up next!!

Thanks!!

 

[gemgirl]

Have you tried putting it top down in the dishwasher on the china/crystal cycle? Mine all come out very clean that way.

 

[LGK]

Denture cleaner is what I always recommend when customers at our antique mall ask. However some glass is "sick" and won''t clean no matter what, if it is damaged by hard water.

 

[PinkTower]

I pour Clorox up to the top of the stain and leave overnight.
I hope someone comes up with a better alternative on here, but it does work.

 

[dianne]

Date: 10/10/2009 2:14:02 PM
Author: gemgirl
Have you tried putting it top down in the dishwasher on the china/crystal cycle? Mine all come out very clean that way.

Dishwasher is broken, unfortunately.

 

[HollyS]

Very hot water and some Cascade soap powder? I''m just guessing, but I bet that might work.

Straight cider vinegar left in the vase for a while?

Any household cleaner with ammonia might do the trick.