Asked on Jul 20, 2014

How to remove mineral deposits in a lead crystal vase?

Cherie
by Cherie
Have a small lead crystal vase formerly held a pothos plant in water. There are now mineral deposits inside. Have tried salt in water, white vinegar, baking soda would like to restore to its original beauty. Thanks! CW
  13 answers
  • Katie Price Katie Price on Jul 20, 2014
    Vinegar usually dissolves mineral deposits pretty well. After the vinegar sits in the vase for 30 minutes or so, drop in some small pebbles or a length of bead-chain and swish it around. That little bit of light abrasion won't hurt the crystal and will help loosen stubborn deposits. Rinse well and dry with a lint free towel, pushing it in with the handle of a wooden spoon if necessary.
  • Jim L Jim L on Jul 20, 2014
    Quite often I use fine sand. Also, use an effervescent denture cleaning tablet. If neither of these nor the vinegar trick work. try using a white toothpaste...it is slightly abrasive and may it will accomplish the task...baking soda my help...
  • Helen Helen on Jul 20, 2014
    clr
  • Linda Leonard Linda Leonard on Jul 20, 2014
    don't know if it will work but maybe those tablets they use for dentures, wouldn't hurt to try it.
  • Rhoda Lambiase Rhoda Lambiase on Jul 20, 2014
    I use denture tablets. Fill the vase with warm water, then tablet, let it sit overnight. If it's bad, you MAY have to repeat. GOOD LUCK!
  • Reba Bumgarner-Diviney Reba Bumgarner-Diviney on Jul 20, 2014
    denture tablets do work may take a few times of doing this
  • Blinda Edwards Adams Blinda Edwards Adams on Jul 20, 2014
    Warm vinegar! baking soda is a good trick as well!
  • Scott Schnell Scott Schnell on Jul 20, 2014
    Maybe the crystal has been etched by the water? If that's the case,I'm afraid you are stuck!
  • Cherie Cherie on Jul 21, 2014
    Hi All ... Cherie here ... thanks for your recommendations ... I am going to get to work ... just hope the crystal has not been etched by the water over the years. Great ideas! Thanks again ... CW :)
  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Jul 23, 2014
    I use Efferdent dental tablets... works great, depending on the size of your vase. I use 6 to clean out my glass coffee pot....
  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 03, 2023

    Hi Cherie, hope this helps you out.

    How do you remove calcium from crystals?

    First, scrub as much scum off as possible and then wipe it dry with a towel. After this is done, combine two parts baking soda with one part vinegar to make a paste. Using this, rub it onto all of the surfaces affected by the calcium buildup. Leave this on for about five minutes, letting it soften the mineral deposits


    Create a paste of 1/2 teaspoon salt and white vinegar. Gently rub the surface of your crystal stemware, and let the paste sit for 10 minutes to dissolve hard residue. Meanwhile, fill a plastic bin with warm water and one teaspoon baking soda. Set the glasses in the water and pour white vinegar over them.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 03, 2023

    I've used CLR in my crystal vases and it's removed all the discoloration and film.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jan 04, 2023

    CLR is a go to for removing mineral deposits.