Your glass means something to you because it captures memories. How can you take care of your glassware so it lasts another 80 years and your children and grandchildren can enjoy the wonderful memories? One key is to store your glass properly.
Glassware is meant to be used, but you need to store it in between meals. If you have cupboard space here’s how to store it on your shelf.
Plate Storage on Shelves
Yes, you can stack glass plates.
1. Put paper plates or paper towels between each plate. Plates with ground base rims have sharp edges that will rub against the plate beneath and cause wear. When you put something rigid in between like a paper plate you cut down on the amount of rubbing. This green plate has a ground base rim and shows damage on the center from stacking.
Plates with raised designs, like Windsor or Block Optic, will get wear on the raised parts of the design. The paper towel trick will keep your plates looking good. This Windsor pink plate shows its 80 year age all too well.
Most depression patterns have molded shapes or curves that will leave marks over time. Looking at a Windsor plate you would not notice the slight curvature or the fact the diamonds on the underside have noticeable ridges, but these are the places that concentrate the weight of the plates stacked on top. Over time you will see marks.
Even plates like this Georgian Lovebirds dinner plate get wear on the rims from stacking.
2. Leave adequate room between each stack of plates. Don’t try to shove everything in the cupboard with no room to maneuver. You’ll get worn edges from scraping against the cupboard wall or other stacks.
Storing Goblets and Stemware
3. Always, always, always store your stemware right side up. My grandmother had a set of Fostoria goblets she got as wedding gifts in the 1920s. Even though she never used them, they were all chipped up from being stored upside down.
Never store your tumblers or goblets upside down. Careful as you are, the pressure from dragging the the thin rims over the shelf will weaken or wear down the lip. This is true for cups as well; store them upright.
Whether you store only between meals or you save your favorite dinnerware and stemware for special meals, you do need to store your pieces at least a few hours every day! Follow these tips to keep your glass looking its best so you and your children can enjoy it.