How to Care for Vintage Ceramics, Crystal & Textiles

A gentle guide to preserving the pieces that carry our stories.

1970's Dress and Bolero Set

The Beauty of Caring for What We Love

Vintage pieces ask something different of us. Not perfection. Not expertise. Just care.

When you hold a 1970's dress, a hand‑thrown bowl, a crystal candlestick, or a linen tablecloth embroidered decades ago, you’re holding the work of hands that shaped, stitched, carved, or polished long before you. Caring for these pieces is a way of honouring that lineage. Vintage pieces crave slow living.

This guide offers simple, thoughtful ways to preserve your vintage treasures so they can continue their quiet journey through homes and hands.

CARING FOR VINTAGE CERAMICS

Ceramics are resilient, but they appreciate gentleness.

1. Hand Wash Only

Avoid dishwashers as the heat and detergents can dull glazes or cause crazing.

2. Avoid Thermal Shock

Don’t move a cold piece into hot water or vice versa. Stoneware and earthenware especially dislike sudden temperature changes.

3. Use Soft Cloths

A gentle sponge protects glaze and surface texture.

4. Store with Space

Stacking is fine but place a soft cloth or paper between pieces to avoid scratches.

Our collection pieces from Kasuga stoneware to Pauline Hemer bowls to Old Ballarat mugs will reward this level of care with decades more beauty.

CARING FOR VINTAGE CRYSTAL

Crystal is the jewel of the home. Luminous, delicate, and deserving of ritual.

1. Wash in Warm Water

Not hot. Not cold. Instead, warm water keeps crystal safe from stress fractures.

2. Avoid Harsh Detergents

A drop of mild soap is enough.

3. Dry Immediately

Air‑drying can leave mineral marks so use a lint‑free cloth for a soft, streak‑free shine.

4. Hold by the Bowl, Not the Stem

Especially for wine glasses as stems can snap under pressure.

Our Orrefors candlesticks, Bohemia wine glasses, and Walther Kristallglas bowls will sparkle for years with this simple care.

CARING FOR VINTAGE TEXTILES

Textiles are the soft memory‑keepers of the home.

1. Gentle Wash Only

Hand wash or delicate cycle with mild detergent.

2. Air Dry

Avoid dryers as heat can shrink or weaken fibres.

3. Store Flat or Rolled

Folding can create permanent creases in older fabrics.

4. Treat Stains with Patience

Soak don’t scrub. Vintage fibres respond best to slow, gentle cleaning.

Our embroidered linens, 1970s dresses, headscarves, tablecloths, reworked quilts, and ruffled placemats will stay beautiful with this tender approach.

Caring as a Form of Connection

When we care for vintage pieces, we’re not just preserving objects, we’re preserving stories.

We’re honouring the hands that made them, the homes they lived in, and the beauty they continue to bring into our lives. With love and care, they will spark a whole new appreciation of their history, and last for years to come.