How to Make Crystal Glasses Sparkle

Fill a plastic washbasin half-full with room-temperature water. Crystal may crack in cold or hot water. Add a small amount of mild, natural dish soap.

Wash all the glasses in the soapy solution--one at a time, to avoid chipping--and set each carefully on the counter.

Pour out the soapy water and rinse the washbasin.

Fill the washbasin with room-temperature water and add 1/4 cup of white vinegar. White vinegar's acid content removes film from hard water and harsh soaps from previous washings. Vinegar can't remove film from etching if the crystal surface suffered damage from soft water, dishwasher use or harsh detergents; that damage is permanent.

Pour the plain water-vinegar mix over each glass.

Dry and polish each glass with a clean, soft dishtowel to restore the crystal's sparkle.