It doesn’t matter what age you are; being recognized for achievement is a wonderful feeling that can evoke a sense of pride and accomplishment. When the citation comes in the form of a trophy, well, that’s the icing on the cake. People who take home custom trophies after a public event enjoy showing them off in the home or office or storing them safely to be preserved and admired through the generations. When you receive beautiful glass trophies, you want to ensure they sparkle for a long time.
Out Of Reach
According to the experts, trophies are something you treasure, and one of the best ways to keep them looking fabulous and new is to store them in a high area of the home, where they can be seen but not touched.
Some home designers suggest having a floating shelf installed near the ceiling to set and arrange your glass trophies. That’s a display option that’ll keep these symbols of achievement safe and have a lesser chance of breaking.
Some glass trophies are tall and intricately designed and can weigh a substantial amount. Take, for example, the trophy of the Tour de France, and note the craftsmanship that goes into creating this stunning award.
Away from Direct Sunlight
Whether you store your trophies on a shelf, fireplace mantel or even behind a glass cabinet, consider where your source of natural light is coming from. Direct sunlight can actually damage the accents or toppers that come with some trophies.
The plating of gold or silver chrome can wear away after too much sun exposure.
Proper Cleaning Methods
You are certainly proud of the custom trophies you have been awarded that dazzle the eye. Now, you want to maintain their special beauty by cleaning them correctly.
The pros who make trophies say that you have three cleaning methods you can safely use at home or in the office.
Soap And Water
Good old-fashioned soap and water are excellent for any dust or light smudges such as fingerprints your glass trophies have accumulated. All you need here is a soft sponge dipped in soapy water to remove these blemishes and leave your trophies sparkling.
Rinse the trophies with warm water, and carefully dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth.
White Vinegar
When it comes to getting the tougher blemishes or stains off of your glass trophies, reach for the bottle of white vinegar. This natural product has been used for centuries in all kinds of do-it-yourself cleaning recipes.
For the ideal cleaning power ratio, try one part vinegar to four parts water. If that isn’t strong enough to cut through any grime, oil, dried dirt, sticky food particles, etc., then increase the vinegar ratio a bit more.
Vinegar has a distinctive strong smell, so rinse your trophies thoroughly, and dry them completely.
Glass Cleaner
You can also use a commercial glass cleaner you find in home improvement stores to revive your glass trophies. Spray the cleaner on in a well-ventilated area because glass cleaners usually contain ammonia, which delivers powerful fumes.
A glass cleaner is tougher at stains than even white vinegar and can remove some glues, remnants of chewing gum, etc., that may have found their way onto your trophy at some point.
Soft, Lint-Free Cloth
You can also wipe your custom trophies down with a soft, lint-free cloth. A micro-fiber cloth is another type you can use, and if you’re without the soft cloths, then the cleaning experts suggest getting out your feather duster.
That’s right! A feather duster will get rid of any minor dust particles that every home or office accumulates over time. You can perform this small step every other week or so, especially if your trophies are on display and not enclosed inside a cabinet. Dust buildup isn’t pretty on any objects, especially glass pieces.
Receiving a custom trophy is a big deal. Congratulations on your achievement. Now, allow that gorgeous award to maintain its shine and be on display for all to view. Always be gentle with your cleaning methods and handling this amazing symbol of pride.
