How to Clean Mercury Glass

Mercury glass was developed in Germany in the 1800s and rose in popularity to move across Europe and into the United States. It became popular as an inexpensive alternative to silver, as mercury glass is clear glass that has been hand-blown with a silvery substance inside. The silvery liquid used to color mercury glass is not actually mercury, though some manufacturers originally did attempt to use mercury to color it, which is where the name originated.

Things You'll Need

• Mercury glass
• Soft rag
• Paper towel
• Ammonia
• Glass cleaner

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Spray glass cleaner on your paper towel or put enough warm water on the rag to make it damp. Ammonia can also be used on the rag, as it will not harm the outside of your mercury glass.

   • 2

     Gently wipe the piece of mercury glass with the damp rag.

   • 3

     Dry the piece of mercury glass with a dry rag or paper towel.