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Preparation
Before cleaning your insulator, lay two towels down on a work surface. Place them side by side with the cleaning solution in the center, to create an assembly-line effect that helps keep the dirty insulators separated from the clean ones. Place the towels away from the edge of your work surface so you do not accidentally knock one of the insulators off. Though composed of a thick glass, insulators can still break or chip if they fall from a high surface.
Cleaning Instructions
Align the insulators on the first towel and prepare the cleaning solution. Slightly dirty insulators require only warm water with a small amount of mild soap to clean. You can submerge them in the solution and use a wet rag or sponge to wipe them clean before rinsing them in running water. Avoid using your hands to wipe dust or dirt away, because minuscule chips in the glass can cut your skin.
Set the clean insulators on the second towel with the flat side down. You can let them air-dry, but if you want to ensure they do not develop water spots, use a dry paper towel to wipe off excess water.
If the glass insulator is especially dirty or has remnants of train soot or tar, use a stronger cleaning solution such as oxalic acid or sodium hydroxide. Both solutions are excellent for removing grime and stains, but one is an acid and the other is a base. Try one first, and if it does not work, try the other. Avoid mixing the two together, because an acid and base combination results in a violent reaction. Remove one solution from the room and dry each insulator completely before applying the other formula.