How to Care For and Clean Your Handmade Glass Ornaments

A handmade glass ornament is built to last for decades — but a little care goes a long way in keeping it looking as beautiful as the day it arrived.

Dust is the main enemy of a friendship ball or glass ornament left on a windowsill. A soft, dry microfibre cloth is all you need for a quick weekly wipe — avoid paper towels or anything abrasive, which can leave fine scratches on the glass surface over time.

For a deeper clean, warm water with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid works well. Avoid extremes of temperature — never move a piece straight from a warm room into cold water or vice versa, as sudden temperature changes can stress the glass. Let it come to room temperature first, then clean gently by hand and dry immediately with a soft cloth to avoid water spots.

If your piece hangs in a window, check the fixing occasionally — the ribbon or fishing line used to hang friendship balls can wear over time with repeated movement, and it's far easier to replace a hanging cord than to catch a falling piece.

For pieces displayed on one of our ornament stands, dust the stand as well as the glass — a build-up of dust on a gold or silver stand can dull the overall effect even when the glass itself is sparkling.

With minimal care, a handmade glass piece will still be catching the light beautifully in twenty or thirty years — exactly as it should.

Browse our full friendship ball collection, shop our display stands, or explore our handmade glass gift range to add a new piece worth caring for.