How to Care for Your Crystal Awards

A crystal award catches the light from across the room. That's the whole point. But fingerprints, dust, and a careless lift can dull it fast. The good news: keeping crystal awards sharp takes almost nothing once you know the few things that actually matter.

Cleaning

Dust and skin oils are what kill the sparkle. Both wipe off in seconds if you do it right.

1. Use a microfiber cloth: Soft, lint-free, no scratches. A paper towel or an old t-shirt will leave fine marks you'll see the next time the light hits it.
2. Stick to mild soap and water: That's all most crystal needs. Skip glass cleaners with ammonia and any abrasive. They can etch the surface, and etching doesn't come out.
3. Wipe in small circles: Circular strokes lift streaks better than back-and-forth. Get into the corners and any cut detail, since that's where dust hides.

For deep sandblast etching like the engraving on our crystal awards, a soft toothbrush works the dust out of the grooves without scratching anything.

Handling

Most crystal awards don't break from cleaning. They break from being picked up wrong.

1. Lift from the base: Grab the heavy, solid bottom, never a thin spire, edge, or cut-out shape. Those points are where the stress goes when you carry it.
2. Wear gloves if you can: Cotton gloves keep fingerprints off and give you a better grip. Bare hands leave oil right where you'll notice it most.

Display

Where you set the award matters more than how often you clean it.

1. Pick a stable spot: A solid shelf away from foot traffic and doorways. Most damage is a knock or a fall, not slow wear.
2. Keep it out of direct sun: Hours of hard sunlight can fade engraving and any color in the piece. Steady room temperature and normal humidity are fine.
3. A cabinet helps: Glass-front cabinets cut down on both dust and the chance of a bump. Less cleaning, less risk.

Storage

Packing one away for a move or a renovation? Don't just drop it in a drawer.

1. Wrap each piece: Bubble wrap or foam, snug but not crushing. Too tight puts pressure on the crystal.
2. One box per award: Keep them from knocking together, and never stack anything heavy on top.
3. Avoid temperature extremes: A closet beats a hot attic or a damp garage. Big swings in heat and humidity are what to steer clear of.

A quick wipe now and then, a careful lift, and a smart spot to set it. That's the whole job. Do that and the award looks like the day it was earned. Shopping for a new one? Every piece in our crystal awards line ships with free engraving, free logo and setup, deep sandblast etching, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Crystal Award Care FAQ

How do I clean a crystal award without scratching it?

Wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth in small circles. Microfiber is lint-free and won't leave fine scratches the way a paper towel or old t-shirt can. For deep sandblast etching, work a soft toothbrush gently into the grooves to lift trapped dust.

What cleaner is safe for crystal awards?

Mild soap and water is all most crystal needs. Skip glass cleaners with ammonia and any abrasive, since those can etch the surface, and etching doesn't come out.

How do I remove fingerprints from a crystal award?

Skin oils leave the prints, so buff them off with a dry microfiber cloth. To keep them from coming back, handle the award with cotton gloves, which also give you a better grip.

How should I handle and store a crystal award?

Always lift from the heavy, solid base, never a thin spire, edge, or cut-out shape. To store one, wrap each piece in bubble wrap or foam, give it its own box so pieces don't knock together, and keep it away from temperature extremes like a hot attic or damp garage.

What should I avoid when displaying a crystal award?

Keep it out of direct sun, since hours of hard sunlight can fade engraving and any color in the piece. Pick a stable shelf away from foot traffic and doorways, because most damage is a knock or a fall, not slow wear. A glass-front cabinet cuts down on both dust and bumps.