Topic: Milky bottles - how to clean them

[chilternhills]

I bought a collection of over 50 bottles, all Victorian medicine, lemonade or beer bottles with some connection to the Isle of Wight. It seems that most of them were buried a long time and they have gone milky. I have done a bit of research and found a page that seems helpful: http://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Cleaning_Old_Bottles. Have you tried any of these cleaning ideas? Do they work? I don't want to spend a lot on brightening them up since I paid very little.

Your advice is appreciated.

Anton

[Lustrousstone]

I wouldn't bother beyond giving them a good soak in washing up liquid. If they've been buried, the chances are any milkiness is within the glass and can only be removed by tumbling

[chopin-liszt]

If it's for display in your Museum, perhaps the trick of disguising the cloudiness with a thin layer of silicon oil might be appropriate and acceptable? Especially if it is noted that this has been done in the info. beside them.

[chilternhills]

Tumbling might be the answer, but probably not economic, given that I paid on average only £3 for each bottle. The advice at http://www.bottlebooks.com/ bears that out. Another worry about tumbling is that all the bottles are branded with text standing proud of the surface. Would that not be damaged by tumbling? I may try Sue's suggestion if I can get the correct cleaning fluid. And yes, I thought these bottles might be a a nice contrast to contemporary IOW glass in the museum as a short-term special exhibit.

[chopin-liszt]

Oil will just make it look wet, which can disguise the stains, it's not a cleaning method.
Silicon oil is best because it won't go off and start getting smelly.

But one way to check if it would do the trick, would be to simply wet the bottles and see if it disappears.

[chilternhills]

Wetting did improve the appearance a bit, but not much. I'll give your suggestion of silicone oil a go.

[Ivo]

Another worry about tumbling is that all the bottles are branded with text standing proud of the surface. Would that not be damaged by tumbling?

Tumbling only cleans the inside of the bottle, if these have been buried then the outside would be clouded as well.

[David E]

Acid polishing? It would need an expert company to achieve this, but might not be that expensive to dip each bottle.