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Antiques & Collectibles

How Do I Clean Stain Glass?

10 years ago

This weekend I bought a stainglass shade from a 1903 house.The shade is made up of many small pieces of glass held togather by lead. I think there where heavy smokers in the house. The dust and dirt doesn't just wipe off, it's almost glued on to the glass. I cleaned a small area with toothbrush and windex. I was worried about harming the lead holding the glass in place. What is safe to use?

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Comments (10)

texasredhead
10 years ago
Bon Ami is a nonabrasive cleaner. You could make kind of a paste with this cleaner and water and perhaps use cotton balls to apply this paste. First use it on a small part of the shade to see if it works and does not harm the shade. Is the shade part of a lamp?
nyboy
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks not a lamp but a hanging fixture that needs to be rewired.I didn't even know some of the glass was white till I started cleaning it.
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Have you ever tried that Windex window cleaner for outdoor windows? It's called Windex Outdoor All-in-One. It's made for outdoor windows, but I'm pretty sure you can adjust the water level so you don't get so much water inside the studio and it has an extension pole with a windex-soaked pad on it. It really leaves a spot-free finish and as long as your stained glass window is not TOO fragile, it should be okay to use. I use it on my outdoor windows, even though I have a ranch style home and don't need the reach. Works wonders! Hope this helps. :)
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Hi Richard. For what it's worth, I looked at this bag, and I must say, I do like it myself. I could see myself purchasing it, going though the effort to clean it. Anyway, as for those stains. This one is complicated. For one, this bag appears to have a slight leather exterior, so it can't be soaked, or washed. And... I'm not sure that it would survive a dry-cleaning process either. Would I would attempt anyway is, taking a toothbrush, and full-strength rubbing alcohol and attempting to scrub the affected area in the interior of the bag, while keeping the exterior under a dry bath towel, to absorb any moisture and protect the leather. You could than attempt a very diluted dish soap soap solution, with some hydrogen peroxide on the stain, if the rubbing alcohol doesn't provide any relief. I'll say this though. It's my opinion unfortunately, that you will not be able to completely remove the stain, and you should only expect to be able to fade it, especially if this has been set in for a while. I hope this helps. :)
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mfrog
10 years ago
I put any shades in the bathtub with a towel down. Then I spray them with warm water & like ogoopogo said, sudsy ammonia works great, with a soft brush. I have a new paint brush just for this job. mfrog
nyboy
Original Author
10 years ago
Sure shade is at my weekend home, willn't try to clean till Sat night.
joyce_6333
10 years ago
You might want to ask your question over on the Stained Glass forum. Bet someone can help over there. I do stained glass and have always used Somaca Hi-Sheen glass cleaner. It was recommended to me many years ago when I took stained glass classes.
sombreuil_mongrel
10 years ago
Hi,
I seem to recall that there were "chandelier cleaning kits" that came with a spray solution and a kind of upside-down umbrella catchment device. You would hang the umbrella and spray on the cleaner, the dirt would run off and be caught. Were this a particularly old and valuable stained glass shade, I would probably recommend a professional conservation approach to cleaning, but seeing as how it's a repro, modern methods would suffice. You may need a toothbrush to get into the corners, and a final polishing with good ol' windex and a microfiber should get it as new.
Casey
nyboy
Original Author
10 years ago
Casey shade came out of a 1903 house I don't think its a repro thats why I am worried about how to clean.
User
10 years ago
I would try baking soda. It doesn't scratch, absorbs odors and absorbs grease. Rinse the shade and while it's wet sprinkle on the baking soda, then scrub with your soft cloth or soft brush.
cherig22
10 years ago
If all it is is nicotine or stuff from years of no dusting, just use warm soapy water and the paint brush is a great idea.

Cheri
kittymoonbeam
10 years ago
I would get some expert opinion from Delphi glass.com or from Stained Glass Workshop. They may carry specialty cleaners. You don't want to damage the antique glass.

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