Is rinsing crystal with cold water best?

[AlexR]

This may be an old wive's tale, but I was recently told that the best way to give a good sparkle to crystal (I'm thinking about wine glasses in particular here) is to rinse them in cold, rather than hot water.

Is this true?

Best regards,
Alex R.

[Andy M.]

I have not heard that. I rinse in warm water. I figure the warmer water will rinse off the soapy residue better. Then I hand dry. They seem fine.

[babetoo]

i am no oracle on how to treat crystal. i just throw wine glasses in the dishwasher. that is a no no, i am sure but they shine just fine.

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by babetoo

i am no oracle on how to treat crystal. i just throw wine glasses in the dishwasher. that is a no no, i am sure but they shine just fine.

It's really only an issue with etching. I buy Cascade with "Shine Shield" which keeps the dishwasher detergent from etching. We've been doing it for years and it really works. I have had stuff get etched with dishwasher detergent before they came up with "Shine Shield". We rarely get a water spot on any of the crystal glasses. If you want to be sure not to have any water spots, dry the glasses by hand out of the dishwasher.

We use the crystal wine glasses a lot. We drink about 6-8 litres of wine in a month and only use crystal (I got it on sale and booze tastes better out of crystal).

[Janet H]

The Waterford folks recommend handwashing in warm water and air drying. They discuss this on this page and mention some tips to remove waterspots and build up Product Use & Care | Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton

[Bigjim68]

I do it the Waterford way. Hand wash and air dry. Warm water.

[LindaZ]

I always hand wash in warm water - does get rid of the soapy residue, and air dry my crystal. I made the mistake of using the dishwasher once, put the glasses on the top rack but they came out with chunks of crystal shaved from the rims. Lost some good glasses that way. Have never used the dishwasher for china or crystal again.

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by LindaZ

I always hand wash in warm water - does get rid of the soapy residue, and air dry my crystal. I made the mistake of using the dishwasher once, put the glasses on the top rack but they came out with chunks of crystal shaved from the rims. Lost some good glasses that way. Have never used the dishwasher for china or crystal again.

Having never had a dishwasher, I'll serve wine in coffee cups to get one.

~Kathleen