LavenderBlue

Yesterday I got a great deal on a nice sized green depression glass bowl. It was on a table of markdowns due to flaws. I had to ask the owner what the defect was as it was so minute. It was covered with old dust and even had dead insects in it. Obviously it had sat for a long time. When I got home and excitedly washed it gently with soap and hand dried, I was very surprised to find it nearly covered with a hard water white film like you get on drinking glasses. I Googled solutions and tried two: (1) straight vinegar and (2) Vaseline overnight. Neither worked. I may try Lemi-Shine which cleaned up our drinking glasses over time, but one website warned not to use CLR as it was too caustic. Any success stories out there?

aronel

I would use a vinegar in hot water soak. Let sit covered overnight, next day rinse and dry. You may have to try it a few times. I collect depression glass, this has worked for me.

LavenderBlue

Aronel, can you pls. give me a rough proportion of vinegar to water? I am thrilled to learn of a solution. ;-)

tesspug

I have had success with denture cleaning tablets. Just soak it overnight in hot water with a couple of the tablets.

WilliP

We used ammonia and water to clean glass at several shops I worked at years ago.

earthwalker

Denture cleaning tablets are great for calcium deposits. I must say though, if it is filmy all over, someone may have attempted washing it in a dishwasher. If this is the case, there is nothing that will restore it.

NJ Quilter

Definitely DON'T use CLR! I would go with aronel's suggestions since she's a depression glass collector. A friend of mine is as well but I know nothing of it's care and feeding.

kdid82

I soaked some clear antique dishes that had a film on them in ammonia overnight, cleaned them off completely.

sap

like some one already mentioned if the film is all over it's been in a dish washer and there's no help for it. if there is a ring in the bowl, I've used denture cleaning tablets with good success. just be sure to fill the bowl with water above the film mark.

DanaNVa

I've had great success with filling the bowl with dishwater, adding several tablespoons (~3) of baking soda, and then slowly stream in 1/4 to 1/2 C vinegar. The vinegar will activate the baking soda and foam out the mess. Sometimes you might have to repeat this. I have used this successfully on several dirty vases, depression glass, and antique pressed glass.