How to Clean Fenton Glass

Care needs to be taken when cleaning older pieces of Fenton glass because of the fact that it is possible to scratch or otherwise damage the bright colors that have been applied to the glass. Cleaners that contain acids, even mild acids such as vinegar, can harm glass over time.

1. Fill a sink with warm water and add 1/2 ounce of a name-brand dish soap. Use your fingers to gently mix the soap and water. There is no need to create any bubbles, as bubbles have nothing to do with the cleaning.

2. Wrap your Fenton glass in a soft towel or cloth and submerge the towel with your glass into the warm soapy water. Carefully open the cloth, and using your fingers, gently rub the glass clean in the soapy water.

3. Scrub (gently) hard to reach spots with the soft toothbrush. Keep the piece wrapped in the cloth as much as possible during the cleaning process--this protects the piece from accidentally being knocked against the side of the sink or dropped onto the hard surface of the sink.

4. Wrap the cloth back around your Fenton piece and drain the warm soapy water from the sink. Fill the sink with warm, clear water. Carefully unwrap the glass from the cloth and rub your fingers gently over the surface of the glass, rubbing any soap residue off. If necessary, use the soft toothbrush to gently scrub the last remaining vestiges of soap from hard-to-reach places. Allow warm water to gently rinse over the entire piece with the cloth covering the bottom of the sink.

5. Set the glass piece on a dry towel to air dry. When dry, pick up the piece using a clean towel to prevent fingerprints from smudging the glass. Return it to a safe and secure place out of direct sunlight.

Tip

Dish soap gently rubbed by fingers or a soft toothbrush will not scratch the finish or mar the beautiful colors. Keep Fenton glass out of direct sunlight, as the light can fade the colors over time.