{"id":3673,"date":"2019-09-21T14:59:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-21T22:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=3673"},"modified":"2022-01-01T11:58:46","modified_gmt":"2022-01-01T20:58:46","slug":"how-to-get-sparkly-clean-glass-for-garden-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/how-to-get-sparkly-clean-glass-for-garden-art\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Sparkly Clean Glass for Garden Art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"All
caption: Clean glass for garden art makes a difference. One of my earlier glass towers<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Glass garden art looks so pretty outside where it can sparkle in the sunlight. So naturally, you’ve set it someplace where you’ll see and enjoy it, as will your company. It’s an eye-catching accent piece among your flower beds or in a vignette grouping on your porch or patio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to make totem towers, globes or other creations using clear or colored glass, this article is for you. Glass jars, bottles and vases come in unique shapes and sizes that make extraordinary garden totems. But that odd shape or tiny opening also means that vessel is difficult to get clean. If you picked it up at the thrift store, there may be residue from water deposits, dirt, grease or oils on the inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s tempting just to just rinse it out as best you can and call it ‘good’. But on a gorgeous day when the sun lights up that pretty glass, every finger smudge, water spot or cloudy mineral deposit will show up. As a craftsman, the most tedious part of creating glass garden art is the prep work. That goes for every project you take on, by the way. But it also makes the finished work look so amazing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Clean Glass for Garden Art<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most glass vessels are quite easy to clean, though some can be challenging. Once in awhile I’ve encountered a mystery substance that won’t easily surrender. It can take some time and effort sometimes. It’s worth doing as attention to detail makes all the difference in the world. And nowhere is that more evident then sparkly clean glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ll be selling your things or making one as a gift, clean glass for garden art is essential if you want your finished masterpiece to look polished and professional. Even if you’re simply doing a piece as a gift for a friend or family member, don’t you think it’s worth it to go the extra mile? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"To
my commonly used products for cleaning glass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to clean glass for garden art<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SOAK:<\/strong> Glass items from the flea market or thrift store can be greasy and grimy. I simply fill the sink with warm, soapy water and let it soak for awhile. You will want to hand wash your glass items. Do not use window glass cleaners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is scale or hard water deposits in a flower vase, you can use vinegar and let it soak overnight. Or use a product like CLR (calcium,lime,rust) and the vase will look good as new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kristen’s Pet Peeve: REMOVE THE PRICE TAG! There’s nothing tackier than forgetting to remove the price tag. Especially for hand crafted art. You might think no one will see it if it’s on the bottom. But you don’t want someone to discover the tag from the thrift store that says $1.99! Most stickers should come off when you wash it. But some leave a gummy residue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the subject of price tags, some of those gummy stickers can be a real bear to remove. This can be the most time-consuming part. But for optimum adhesion when gluing, you want to get any gooey, greasy, crusty residue off your glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that stubborn mystery substance that refuses to come off, try 409, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, or lighter fluid. (if you ever figure out what that mystery substance is, let me know!) My Mom always used lighter fluid for gummy, sticky stuff that refused to come off with any other product. In my experience, sometimes its the only<\/em> thing that works to get that stuff off of glass for garden art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry with a towel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Always use a 100% cotton towel. DO NOT use paper towels. Anything else will leave lint on the surface. Twist the towel into a skinny rope-like configuration. If the mouth of the vase is small, wind it tighter and slowly use your fingers to tuck it in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t get all the moisture out, I have had success with a blow dryer.  Turn the vase upside down and direct the air flow towards the opening. Even heating the glass on the outside will dry up water droplets on the inside so you don’t get water spots. This is especially obvious on clear glass! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"clean<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Removing crusty water residue…a few tricks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After drying, hold the glass up to the light and examine it closely. A flower vase or anything that’s been used to hold water will frequently have a crusty water line or residue on the bottom. You’ll be able to tell because it looks kind of cloudy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"CLR
caption: CLR is available at hardware store like Home Depot<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If it’s not coming off with regular soap and water, I soak it overnight in a mix of water and CLR (Calcium, lime,rust) That should dissolve or at least soften it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the vase has a thin neck, it’s harder to clean, even with a skinny bottle brush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SALT or SAND <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s another old trick I learned from the head waitress when I worked at a restaurant in my teens. SALT.  It\u2019s what we used to get that burned-dry coffee layer off the bottom of the pot.  With the inside moist, pour in just enough salt to cover the bottom so that the salt absorbs, but not dissolves. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes.  Add in some small particles of crushed ice from your fridge ice maker and swirl it around on bottom and rinse out.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also used the tip of a table knife.  Doesn\u2019t need to be sharp, just to be able to gently scrape and the residue will come right off.  You can also fill the vessel with sand or small pebbles and shake, but be careful! Sand can scratch and dull the surface of the glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"bottom
Caption: no residue! <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"holding
caption: Clean, spotless glass!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finally, I always like to finish off my cleaning process with a gentle wipe of isopropyl alcohol. It’s especially critical if you are placing a pretty figurine or ornament of some kind on the inside of the glass. You want them to see the figurine, not your fingerprints. Please, do not use glass cleaner. The isopropyl will remove smudges and give the glass a nice, professional sparkle! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DON’T FORGET YOUR FREEBIE! Scroll below to join the Make it a Garden community and get “10 Artistic Ways to Make Your Yard & Garden Beautiful!” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting clean glass for garden art does require some time and attention to detail. Handmade art commands a higher price if it presents a professional finish. Smudges and water residue detract from the beauty of the piece. So, you will benefit from the extra effort to make your work look its best. The most important consideration is to earn the reputation for doing quality work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you loved this article and found it helpful, why not join our community? Sign up for our newsletter just below. I also invite you to leave your comment also, as your feedback is very helpful and may be helpful to others reading this article as well. Be sure to like us on Facebook to stay in touch with Make it a Garden. Thanks for dropping by!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other glass art related posts you may enjoy:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Best Glues for Garden Art<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Painting on Glass for Stunning Dish Flowers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Dish Flowers for Garden Art PART 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Dish Flowers for Garden Art PART 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p><\/a><\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Glass garden art looks so pretty outside where it can sparkle in the sunlight. So naturally, you’ve set it someplace where you’ll see and enjoy it, as will your company. It’s an eye-catching accent piece among your flower beds or in a vignette grouping on your porch or patio. If you plan to make totem… Continue reading How to Get Sparkly Clean Glass for Garden Art<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[906,909],"tags":[354,358,51,357,356,355,359],"class_list":["post-3673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-free-tutorials","category-garden-art-tutorials-for-re-purposed-crafts","tag-glass-cleaning","tag-glass-crafts","tag-glass-garden-art","tag-glass-sculpture","tag-glass-totem","tag-glass-tower","tag-how-to-clean-glass"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Get Sparkly Clean Glass for Garden Art | Make it a Garden<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For professional looking dish art work, it's important for glass to be super clean. 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