As an avid vintage Pyrex collector, I’ve put together a thorough guide for how to clean vintage Pyrex (which also works for how to clean new Pyrex), with advice on: how to clean black marks from Pyrex, how to clean baked on grease from Pyrex, plus how to restore shine to dishwasher dead vintage Pyrex. I’m testing a lot of cleaning Pyrex “hacks,” showing you which ones work – and which ones don’t. Plus read through the comments because they’re an excellent resource for even more fabulous tips on cleaning vintage Pyrex (from fellow Pyrex collectors)!
My Vintage Pyrex Collection
If you’re a vintage Pyrex collector, or just getting into collecting Pyrex, I thought I’d quickly show you my Pyrex collection first – before sharing my tips for cleaning vintage Pyrex. I didn’t always have a big turquoise Pyrex collection in my kitchen:
I got my first piece of vintage Pyrex (a butterprint fridgie) when I was a teenager. My grandma and I were yard-saling and she scooped it up. Conspiratorially, she told me it was special. After that I bought a few more pieces here and there, normally at yard sales for a dollar – or less. In 2011, my vintage Pyrex collection was actually still pretty small:
I don’t know how I moved from just buying pieces we used in the kitchen, to starting an official “collection,” but by 2013 I had a lot more turquoise Pyrex in my collection, plus an overflow cupboard of other colours:
Now my DIY kitchen is actually designed around my collection, which has largely stopped growing. I have splurged on a few rare pieces online in recent years, like my Blowing Leaves piece, but I don’t really add to my collection anymore because I can no longer find any nice vintage Pyrex in local thrift stores or even antique shops.
Why is Vintage Pyrex So Popular?
Wondering why vintage Pyrex so popular? I think there are quite a few reasons and each collector has their own “origin story”. I began collecting because my grandmother told me vintage Pyrex was special. She used it in her kitchen, and kept her eyes peeled for it at yard sales, and she passed that passion on to me. I bought a few books on Pyrex (I love this book on Pyrex Collecting especially), and we would pour over the pages together. Now I collect and use Pyrex because the colors and patterns make me happy (plus the designs are so practical and useful). But most importantly: vintage Pyrex always reminds me of my grandmother! Here are some popular reasons why Pyrex is so popular:
- Nostalgia: Many of us grew up seeing vintage Pyrex in our mother’s or grandmother’s kitchens
- Happy Vibes: The vibrant colors and patterns of vintage Pyrex just make collectors happy
- Collecting Obsession: Once you start, it’s hard to stop trying to collect certain patterns or colors
- Diminishing Availability: It’s harder and harder to find Pyrex, and as it has become more rare it had become even more valued
- Quality: Vintage Pyrex is great quality
- Useful & Pretty: Vintage Pyrex is not only beautiful – it’s so useful, with clever designs home cooks and bakers can appreciate
- Community: Sharing with other collectors online has created a surge in popularity as we sell, swap, and share with each other on social media
Why I Started Experimenting Cleaning Vintage Pyrex
As collecting Pyrex became more popular, with many local people picking up pieces to sell online or collect themselves, the inventory here dwindled. So I began experimenting with bringing dishwasher dead Pyrex back to life and scrubbing filthy vintage Pyrex I found left behind in thrift stores. I’ve tried a number of tricks for cleaning vintage Pyrex, from Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (hit or miss) to Coca Cola baths (didn’t do a thing). Keeping reading to discover all of my Pyrex cleaning results. Even if you don’t collect vintage Pyrex, these tricks work for cleaning any burnt glass pans and I’ve even got a trick for cleaning utensil marks off plates and bowls too!
Can You Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on Vintage Pyrex?
You might have noticed that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser isn’t really a cleaner, it’s more of a fine sandpaper, so while a magic eraser can be used (gently and sparingly) to clean vintage Pyrex, use caution because it can remove the sheen from Pyrex. You might have noticed that if you use a Magic Eraser to clean a spot on your walls, the paint finish in that area changes. I do use it on Pyrex, occasionally, but on really badly baked on grime or stains. For a gentler approach, try using powdered Bar Keeper’s Friend instead! If you don’t have any, creating a baking soda paste for scrubbing can also be effective.
How to Get Rid of Black Marks on Vintage Pyrex?
What causes black marks on Pyrex? I’ve read that they’re metal marks but it’s peculiar so many pieces have them on the outside. My best guess is that they’re from nesting bowls inside each other, shelf wear, or maybe from sitting inside metal pots and pans. Utensils or hand mixers create similar black marks, but they’re found inside bowls. In my experience, I’ve found that Bar Keeper’s Friend – the powder, not the liquid – gets most, if not all, of these black marks off Pyrex. Add a little sprinkle on a damp sponge but be careful because BKF can also take the finish off coloured Pyrex. I accidentally made a piece look a little dull by scrubbing too hard, but a gentle touch with the Bar Keeper’s Friend can help remove black marks on Pyrex that dish soap, scrubbing, or even Magic Eraser cannot:
Here’s another example of using Bar Keeper’s Friend, this time more gently, to remove black marks from Pyrex:
How Do You Remove Metal Marks from Dishes?
Wondering how to remove metal marks from dishes? Remove utensil marks from dishes using Bar Keeper’s Friend as well! I used powdered Bar Keeper’s Friend on my cereal bowls to remove utensils scratches and, within seconds of scrubbing, they looked brand new. I simply rinsed the bowls, sprinkled on some Bar Keeper’s Friend, and then scrubbed with a dish cloth. It took a little bit of elbow grease, but all four bowls took me fewer than fifteen minutes to clean! Unlike with cleaning Pyrex, there was no wear to the finish at all but the utensil marks were 100% gone.
Can Pyrex Be Washed in the Dishwasher?
Clear Pyrex glass can safely go in the dishwasher, but it is not recommended that colored vintage Pyrex be washed in the dishwasher. Dishwashers slowly etch the Pyrex, removing the glossy sheen and eventually also the painted finish, leaving a dull and discolored piece. Hand wash vintage Pyrex – especially colored vintage Pyrex – to keep it looking new.
DWD Meaning Pyrex Lingo
When referring to vintage Pyrex, DWD means dishwasher dead. This is typically used to describe colored Pyrex that is matte, has lost its sheen, and, sometimes, even the color, thanks to the use of dishwashers.
How to Restore DWD (Dishwasher Dead) Vintage Pyrex Pieces?
Ultimately, there’s no way to truly “fix” dishwasher dead Pyrex, but dishwasher dead Pyrex can be saved by buffing on some coconut oil to fake the sheen on pieces for display or gentle use (like serving). With dishwasher dead Pyrex, sometimes the pattern has been washed completely off, while sometimes the finish is gone so the piece looks dull and matte. Coconut oil helps restore the sheen. Keep reading to learn how I saved a set of badly damaged vintage Pyrex bowls, removing the black marks and restoring the sheen.
How Do You Make Old Pyrex Look New? A Case Study:
I found a set of four turquoise mixing bowls at the thrift store and my heart leaped out of my chest when I spotted them. Then it fell to my toes when I saw the damage – and the outrageous Value Village price! I just couldn’t leave them behind (luckily I had a coupon), so I took them home and worked some magic. Each piece looked like this when I bought it:
I let the Pyrex bowls soak for a good long time in hot, soapy water. They were severely damaged from a dishwasher, and had lots of grey scratches, so I went to town cleaning them with my Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, then Bar Keeper’s Friend. This combo took off not only the marks, but also some of the dull white residue, which was making the bowls look more dishwashered than they were. Sometimes the opacity on vintage Pyrex is from built on film – not wear. But other times it actually has been put into a dishwasher, causing the glossy surface to wear off leaving behind a matte finish. In this case, there was damage beneath the film but scrubbing still helped reveal the colour hidden beneath the grunge.
Using Coconut Oil on Dishwasher Dead Pyrex:
Once they were cleaned, although they were a little less dull and hazy, the dishwasher damage remained – it’s irreversible. Upon the advice of some fellow collectors, I grabbed some coconut oil and rubbed a tiny bit onto the surface. I really worked it in with my fingers – much like I would work it into my skin. You can even buff it with a soft tea towel. It worked like a charm to revive the dishwasher dead Pyrex bowls! The pieces are a tiny bit slipperier (but only barely so, because I really worked in the oil). Once they’re oiled, a Pyrex piece should no longer go in the oven but you can use it for mixing, serving, or display. After a lot of washings, the bowls could use another oil but I haven’t bothered because they still look leaps and bounds better than when I bought them. I think that, if I’m being honest, the oil is best for pieces on display or those that are rarely used, but it’s nice to see that dishwasher dead Pyrex pieces can be somewhat revived.
If you’d like to restore the sheen on dishwasher dead vintage Pyrex by working in some coconut oil, here’s the difference the oil makes: on the left the surface has been oiled and on the right (toward the bottom), it’s still dull from the dishwasher.
The difference shows up more clearly on this piece, where the oil has been applied to the right:
Now my little thrifted set of dishwasher dead vintage Pyrex bowls has been revived and looks awesome on my shelf. One thing I noticed: the coconut oil didn’t make a difference on white pieces with coloured pattern (like butterprint) – the best results were on solid pieces or those with a lot of colour, like my set of turquoise bowls:
How to Clean Baked on Grease + Grime from Vintage Pyrex?
I found a turquoise snowflake space saver at a local antique shop for a steal ($6!), but it was in rough shape with caked on grime that was burned into every nook and cranny:
I soaked it in hot soapy water, with grease fighting Dawn dish detergent, a couple of times, letting it sit for a couple of hours each time. I even scrubbed with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser but it did little. I scrubbed gently with my trusty Bar Keeper’s Friend and a very soft chore boy scrub cloth (I save well worn ones for delicate cleaning), after which some of the grime came off. I soaked it in hot soapy water again. With these steps I was able to remove quite a bit of the burnt on grease, but there was still more to tackle (see below). I picked at parts with a toothpick and removed some grime that way. On the advice of Pyrex collectors, I opened up a pack of dishwasher liquid and let it soak in that, which helped a bit but not a lot.
Can You Clean Pyrex with Coca Cola?
Desperate, I decided to try a viral “hack” I had seen, cleaning Pyrex with Coca Cola. I placed the Pyrex casserole in a bucket filled with Coca Cola, weighing it down so it didn’t float, and soaked it overnight. Using Coco Cola to clean vintage Pyrex seemed to do nothing – even though I’ve read rave reviews from other collectors.
Using Oven Cleaner to Clean Burnt on Grime From Pyrex:
Finally, I grabbed some glass stovetop cleaner and a soft scrub pad (I like Chore Boy Scrubbing Cloths). That worked to remove the rest of the baked on grime from this Pyrex casserole. The combination of the soaking, the Bar Keeper’s Friend, some detailing with a toothpick, and the stove top cleaner worked to get most of the grease off, without damaging the finish at all (it had some paint loss when I bought it). I was lucky that after all that rubbing it stayed as shiny as when I bought it. I didn’t get 100% of the grime off (it had worked itself into the texture of the design), but it was at least 80% improved. It was a good way to experiment with different methods, and I’m happy to have scored such a pretty piece for such a good price.
UPDATE: After some fellow collectors and commenters (see below) suggested it, I tried oven cleaner for that really baked-on-won’t-scrub-off grime. Here are the details, but, long story short, it worked really well! I just popped the offending Pyrex into a bag, sprayed some cleaner on, and tied the bag shut. I let it soak for a few hours and then rinsed it off before giving it a good, soapy wash. The grease slide right off as I washed it! I did hear from one person who said oven cleaner left a hazy film on her Pyrex, so my recommendations are to experiment on very badly damaged pieces (maybe even do a spot test), and start by only applying the oven cleaner for 15 minutes.
Successful Ways to Clean Vintage Pyrex
To summarize my Pyrex cleaning experiments, here are the most successful ways to clean vintage Pyrex:
- Hot Soapy Water: Soak vintage Pyrex in hot soapy water, with a grease cutting dish soap like Dawn
- Soft Scrubbing Cloth: Use a soft scrubbing cloth, like a wet chore boy, to give Pyrex a more thorough bath
- Baking Soda: For less grimey Pyrex, you can also turn baking soda into a paste and use it to gently scrub baked on grease
- Bar Keeper’s Friend: Gently scrub with powered Bar Keeper’s Friend and a damp cloth, to remove black marks or baked on grease
- Toothpick: Use a toothpick to pick grime from crevices in Pyrex without risking the finish
- Oven Cleaner: Cover Pyrex stains with oven cleaner and a plastic bag, allow to soak and then wash thoroughly
Please feel free to share your tips and tricks in the comments below! I love hearing advice and picking up tips from fellow collectors, so feel free to include a link to your own blog posts or Instagram pages so we can ogle your vintage Pyrex collection and soak up your vintage Pyrex cleaning advice.
Love Vintage Pyrex? Pin This Pyrex Inspired Pumpkin Decorating Idea!
I love my vintage Pyrex so much, I took inspiration from my favorite piece (Blowing Leaves) to paint these adorable Pyrex pumpkins for fall! Take inspiration from any of your favorite Pyrex patterns and make your own, using this easy tutorial.
Looking for more cleaning tips?
Find all of my posts with cleaning and organizing tips and tricks by clicking this link, or check out some of the most popular cleaning posts below:
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P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!
Thanks for these great tips! I could have used them on our Denby, which was the first china that we bought together – I gave them away years ago, hopefully someone else knew what to do! Your kitchen shelves are stunning – stunning!
Thanks Patricia! I was about to give away the cereal bowls because I didn't think they could be saved – not when I'd already scrubbed them and tried various things. The Bar Keeper's friend has been a really great find – I think a reader recommended it originally. Although it can be touch on finishes, it does work wonders.
I used the Bar Keeper's Friend on the Denby bowls that we have left and it turned out great – thanks again!
I use a product called Earthbrite which is a super fine clay from France that is completely natural. I purchase it from the Canadian Shopping Channel and its inexpensive. It cleans up the Pyrex and restores beautifully including baked on foods. I also frequently see Pyrex wrapped in newspaper for storing and transporting and I think the newsprint transfers. I also noticed stainless steel sinks leave black marks when washing Pyrex. Place a rubber mat on the sink bottom to avoid this.
I’ve never tried this but just a thought . . . Rather than coconut oil did you ever try soapstone wax? I have soapstone countertops and tried oiling them once. Looked great but left a greasy film that washed off immediately. I now use Soapstone Sealer by Milk Paint Co. lasts much longer between waxings and leaves no greasy film no slippery feel. Might work well esp on display pieces. Won’t go rancid either. Just a suggestion, thanks for the other tips. I use my moms primary color nesting bowls ALL the time and the big yellow one has marks all over. Will give the bar keepers friend a try. Thanks!
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Oooo very interesting! I hadn’t heard of that wax to be honest, but it sounds promising. Good luck with your bowl 🙂 – just use a light a touch with bar keeper’s friend.
I will try to get my hands on that product. Thanks for the great tips! I'm learning so much.
My favorite LeCrueset frying pan's enamel was caked with black on the outside. I found a Pinterest tip that was amazing. it was to be used for cleaning grill racks, pyrex roasters, whatever. Take a cup of ammonia and seal with the stained item in a plastic bag overnight. It is the fumes that do the job so you don't need to use more than it calls for. I could not believe the way that stuff bubbled off by morning. I have friends who tried it on stubborn range top pieces, whatever. amazing tips! love Pinterest!
does this take off any of the patterns or colors?
I manage deli and I use the industrial chemical that is used to clean the exhaust hood above my large deep fryer I fry chicken in. It doesn't discolor. It works wonders. I would suggest asking your local hamburger joint what they use. It will take your breath away,but great on that baked on grease.
Great tip, thanks for sharing!
I don't think you could do it on the patterns, but my mother has been able to clean up baked on grease on glass baking dishes by wrapping them in ammonia soaked newspapers and sticking them in a plastic bag overnight. I would be concerned about that on the colored Pyrex, though, and you NEVER want to mix ammonia and bleach. If you ever break one you could try it on the pieces to see how bad the color degradation would be.You can also make a paste with cream of tartar, but that can get expensive and you get the same affect with bon ami (similar ingredients).
Your mom sounds very daring!! That's a great tip- if there's ever a piece that's broken, I will try the ammonia trick. Does bon ami remove finish like bar keepers friend? I should try on a beat up piece…thanks!!
Have you tried a paste of baking soda and peroxide or water? It makes a gentle scrub. I am so jealous you find all these things at Value Village. I find nothing but over priced junk for the most part. Anything worth having is so over priced it's ridiculous. Found these awesome blue drinking glasses and they wanted $8 for 2? They weren't that nice, I could buy a new set for that much at Winners lol. Just out of curiosity, how do you get your bowls to stand up stacked like that? What do you use inside?
I have tried a baking soda and water paste before but haven't found it to be effective on really tough grime and stains. I used to clean my bath tub with it, actually, but gave up and switched to a chemical cleaner because it was too much effort. Ahhh, that sounds so lazy. For Pyrex it worked on lightly soiled items (just general grubbiness) but, for me, didn't fix the black marks or major baked on grease. I will try it with peroxide and see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the tip!I use empty yoghurt and cottage cheese containers inside. Normally I trim them a bit because I don't like them teetering so high. Smaller tubs, like for cream cheese, are even better because I can keep the lids on for more stability.Value Village prices are getting insane. They are higher than antique prices in some cases. And yet my VV is packed everyday and picked clean.
The prices at VV make me irrationally angry. I guess because they are a thrift store…..but then again they are a big business so…….
I asked employees at VV why there prices are so irrationally high…..they replied that they look up the prices on eBay! They don’t however realize that eBay sellers often either don’t sell their item or they end up taking a lot less. Just doesn’t make sense when most of there items are donated.
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That is such a terrible system for pricing! Especially because sellers on eBay and Etsy can distinguish between a high/low value Pyrex and VV employees can’t always.
Hi! I just came across this post in a search for how to clean my Pyrex. I have a lovely aqua loaf pan, and it was getting some really stubborn brown spots on the sides and under the handles. I tried EVERYTHING I could that wouldn’t damage the exterior, and just when I was ready to give up, I soaked it in two rounds of HOT hot water last night, with dish soap each time (Dawn first then Mrs. Meyers Mint second.) On a whim, I added two denture cleaning tabs to the second soak, and let it go overnight. I came down the morning, having forgotten I even soaked it last night (quarantine life lol) and to my amazement, when I pulled the pan out of the water, it was SPOTLESS. I have no idea if it will turn or do anything weird when used in the oven again, but for now, it’s incredible! I’m no longer afraid of marked up vintage Pyrex, if this trick works in them, too. Figured I’d share with you in case you ever want to try!
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What a great tip! So happy to hear you could restore your aqua loaf pan (I’m so jealous, I love the aqua). Thanks for taking the time to share with us 🙂
I have read on the Pyrex Collective that many people have had luck on the baked on grime by using oven cleaner.
I'm going to try that! Thanks for the tip!!
Who knew of all these Pyrex cleaning tricks? Not me! I only recently heard of Bar Keepers Friend and it's a miracle worker on my stainless kitchen sink. It works so darn well!
I'm a fairly recent convert to Bar Keeper's Friend too, and it does do a fabulous job on stainless steel sinks.
Hi, I came across to your site after buying my first vintage pyrex. it is heavily used so I am thankful for your posting! I bought it from salvation army for 4.99. (It's a medium sized bowl.) I wished it were cheaper but I have been waiting long for it to show up at my local thrift store, so i bought it. I saw a few from value village too but their pricing is even higher. (I live in BC btw)As for the coconut oil application, would it stay for several washing? I plan to use it often so I want to know how well it holds up.Do you know if the pyrex dishes were regarded as "high end" item in the past? I find that these bows are priced higher than other bowls at thrift stores so I was thinking that it could be a reason why these are expensive at the thrift stores..?
Hi Heather,The thrift store prices on Pyrex are getting ridiculous. I think the folks pricing know Pyrex is popular, but they pay no attention to condition/pattern/age – all of the things collectors/sellers use to determine a value. There are certain Pyrex pieces that go for hundreds, but some that people can't give away. They were pretty affordable back in the day, it's their popularity with collectors now that has driven their prices up. Also, it's getting harder and harder to find good pieces. There are lots of collectors and a dwindling supply. A space saver I bought eight years ago was priced at $20 at a flea market (and that's the list price in a reference book on Pyrex from around that time), but now people pay hundreds. I'm happy you finally scored a bowl!! Hopefully it's the beginning of many. Have you identified the pattern or age? That's my favorite part. The coconut oil is more of a band-aid solution. Once a bowl is diswashered to the point of its finish/sheen being removed, it cannot be restored permanently. The oil helps it look pretty on a shelf and has, in my experience, lasted a few washings but it starts to gradually wash off – sometimes right away if I've left it to soak. Sometimes the dullness is residue, not wear, and it can be removed to show off the original sheen below. Hopefully your bowl has residue and gunk, not damage. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm no expert, but if I can't help I can point you to who can. Also, if you're on instagram, check the hashtags #pyrexlove and #pyrexia to see some awesome collections. And, if you're in the market for more, search #pyrexforsale because sometimes collectors sell really pretty pieces for such a good price because they want it to go to other collectors. I've scored some great deals!
Mine turned out to be butterfly gold. But it lost it's colour almost all. It looks like white with some slight yellowish tint at random placed
I went to another salvation army in the morning and found 2 mushroom pattern cinderella bowls. 5.99 and 4.99 each. I did not really like the pattern so i didn't get…though those were in goos condition. I came back and thinking i should have got them… Still the pattern does not appeal to me much. But i know pyrex are rare so….i am still thinking about them. Would you get them if i were you? :s
Wow, it sounds like your butterfly gold was really loved! Some folks prefer well-loved Pyrex bowls because then they don't worry about using them regularly. The mushroom one is not a favorite of mine, either, and it's definitely more common. It's called Forest Fancies and I want to say it was produced 1970s/1980s so you see more of it around. There's been one kicking around my Value Village for awhile. I'd say hold out, because that $11 could be put toward a piece you love with a pattern you prefer. But that's just my two cents!
WOW!! Those cleaned up well with coconut ~ ~ amazing!!!
I was surprised as well!!
Hi Tanya!I bought a casserole dish with a lid from a thrift store. The lid was taped on and i came home and found out that there was a chip. 🙁 i tried to feel that part and got a cut. I want to use sandpaper to smoothen the part out.
Do you know if i can still microwave or bake it?You'd know this already but before you buy one that has a lid taped on, make sure you remove the tape and inspect inside. I called the store that i couldnt see the crack from outside but they still would not take refund.
That's a good tip! Unfortunately, I don't know if a cracked piece can withstand the heat. I wouldn't chance it.
Rule of Thumb is…If the appliance wasn't invented yet (ie. dishwasher, microwave), don't use it. It was NOT meant to withstand the heat. It's better to use newer vintage Pyrex, Fire King or Glas Bake, from the '80's and on, especially in the microwave! 🙂
OMG!!!! I love this post! Thank you for the how-to on removing the black marks. This makes me so happy. I had the same situation with a blue snowflake Pyrex casserole, cooked on grease. I almost left it behind. I'm glad I didn't Easy Off oven cleaner removed it easily with very little work on my end, and no scrubbing with abrasive cleaners. I have before and after pictures here. http://sleepingorsewing.blogspot.com/2012/02/thrift-share-monday-february-27.html
Hi Cassandra, happy to help! I'm definitely going to experiment with some oven cleaner. I'm happy to hear it worked for you. I'm going to check out your link right now 🙂
If you oil your pyrex be sure to wash it off before baking with it as it will turn black and burn.
That's very good to know! I haven't baked with oiled pieces, mostly they're mixing bowls. Thanks so much for sharing!!
The ammonia tip is a very good one, but the ammonia does not need to actually touch whatever you are working on. The vapor is what does all the work. Stick a piece in a very, very large ziplock bag with a few tablespoons of Ammonia. Elevate the Pyrex with something, just so it sort of hovers above the ammonia. SEAL THE BAG TIGHT! Let the vapor do its magic overnight. Now, it doesn't mean that it will be magically pristine, but most all of the gunk should wipe of fairly readily.
Thanks for explaining!! I'll definitely have to try it.
Suggest trying Wenol, Flitz, or similar polishes, which you might have to order online. Amazon carries them, but easy to find elsewhere. Ted Pella carries Wenol and some other fine polishes used in labs on metal and glass. These are very fine, non-abrasive polishes that have been around for years. They will clean marks off of dishes, fiestaware, etc, and I think they would work on Pyrex. They might even help to restore the finish, but I was mainly just thinking of cleaning. If used for cooking, I would finish by hand washing them first, but check other sites for input on that. Note that these will also clean headlight lenses, CDs, and other plastic items quite well, as well as many other household and shop uses. They are not just for metal.
I haven't heard if those polishes, thanks!! I'm eager to keep experimenting so I'll try to track one down. Thanks for the info!!
which of the Wenol products is it that you use?
Product by company who makes Dawn Dish soap…something like Dawn Power Spray, blue spray bottle…on shelf near Dawn Dish Soap made just for this problem….works great on bakeware, cookie sheets and pans ……sometimes it takes a couple times….reasonable price…..worth a try….
Thanks for the tip! I'll keep my eyes peeled for it!
Love your cheerful kitchen (and cleaning tips). Between my mom, grandma, and sister-in-law's mom, I inherited a huge amount of Pyrex. I really adore the pieces with lids, and I also covet nesting bowls. I want to hoard it all, but after my dad also passed there is just too many other special pieces to keep and too little room. I sold two different set of bowls already and was holding onto two more incomplete sets. Reading this blog help me decide to keep the two turquoise and white bowls. Now, I need to find a good home for the green and white ones. Bless you! Bridget from Cali:
Hi Bridget! I'm so sorry for your loss, and I definitely understand not being able to keep it all! I'm thrilled you're keeping the aqua. If you're in Instagram or Facebook, there are pyrex collecting groups who buy/sell/trade. You might find a good home there 🙂
I believe the exterior metal marks could be from washing them in stainless steel sinks.
That makes sense!
Thanks a lot! Great tips!
Happy to help! There are some great tips in the comments too, from other collectors and enthusiasts!
I'm so happy ?! Thanks for all those great tips!
Happy they're helpful! Make sure to read the comments, too, because lots of people have left their own tips!
really weird but I buy Awesome spray cleaner at dollar tree(clear bottle, red lettering with yellow liquid), I spray the piece both sides in the sink and walk away(I try not to breathe in fumes!!!) Wear rubber gloves it you want because it dries out my hands, not sure if it does that to everyone. And after spraying and washing a couple of times the dirt and scrapes come off and the paint does not dull. I use a toothpick to get the cook on stuff in the edges. Try it on a bad one and see! (Monica)
I don't have a Dollar Tree but I will look for it anyway. I like the idea of a cleaner that doesn't dull the paint! Thanks for the tip!
I use Awesome too. I usually spray it on a soft cloth or on the item itself & rub off the stains. I use cotton swabs for the edges. I can’t wait to try the Bar Keepers Friend to see if I can restore the shine to some pieces or at least get rid of the scratches. Thanks for the tips.
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I love how so many people have shared their experiences, tips, and tricks on this post! Happy you could pick up some info 🙂
Do you use the liquid Bar Keepers or the one that's like Comet? Thanks!
I prefer the one that is powdered. The liquid one didn't work as well for me.
Love your turquoise Pyrex pieces, as well as the kitchen … its all so bright and fresh! I've been selling new and used china, glassware, dinnerware, Pyrex, etc. on eBay since the late 90s, and am also a collector. Here are a few of the trade for marks and stains:* Magic Eraser and hot soapy water are always the first things to try.* Barkeepers Friend, Bon Ami, and Wenol are all abrasive, so use them with a very gentle touch, especially Wenol. If you're going to use the pieces to cook in, be sure you have not broken through the surface glaze … Wenol can be absorbed into damaged glass and pottery, and may have long-term health effects (like eating off chipped china with lead-based glaze).* Stains, stir marks, and pencil/pen marks (from using a cup as a pencil holder) can often be soaked out of pieces by filling them with water to just above the marks, then adding 1 or more denture cleaning tabs (1 for a coffee mug, more for larger pieces).* Brown or golden rust marks/speckles/spots on the bottoms of bowls and dishes are generally caused by contact with metal items in the dishwasher. Most collectors and people looking for replacement pieces expect those marks on the bottom, so its not essential to remove them.* Many thrift stores use permanent marker to price their items. If you can't remove it with a Magic Eraser or Goo Gone (great for sticky goop), get a Dry Erase board marker (the ones for white boards — any color is fine) and rub it over the permanent marker … let it sit a few minutes and everything should wipe right off with a paper towel or cloth.* For those little specks and bumps of burned-on-whatever that don't come off any other way … re-soak the dish for an hour or so, then gently work the goo off with the side of a fresh razor blade. Be careful to hold the blade at an angle that slides across the surface, rather than digging into it.
I completely forgot I didn't reply! Thank you so much for these amazing tips! I feel a lot more confident buying unloved pieces, knowing there are so many tricks for restoring them again.
For all the burnt on stuff on all my pottery, Longaberger, pyrex, I use dawn power foam. Just squirt the foam on, let it set, and the burnt on bits wipe right off. I have never had it damage a surface or dull a shine. I know the Longaberger pottery have a finish but I have used it successfully on pyrex when the gunk in in the crevices. Hope this helps someone. Love Pyrex!
I haven't tried dawn power foam – I love hearing that it works, so I will have to pick up a bottle. Thanks so much for the tip!
Oven cleaner was a great tip! I found a yellow desert dawn baking dish for $6 the other day that had decades of baked-on grease all over it. I figured I'd take it home and see if I could salvage it. The oven cleaner worked like a charm. No dulling/hazing to the paint and looks practically new!! I won't shy away from dirty Pyrex in the future. 🙂
Happy to hear that worked for you! If it's a thrifty find that is coated in baked on goo, I figure we've got nothing to loose being a little tough on it, but it's always a relief to hear that there was no damage to the finish or shine. Thanks for leaving a comment – I love hearing from fellow collectors!
YES! It works great for mine too. I find lots of pyrex in thrift stores that are given away because of the baked on gunk. When I go to the thrift outlets, they usually will give them away for $1 or less because they look so bad. I have so many 13×9 and baking dishes because of that… its just hard to pass them up. I just spray them outside and leave them til the next day then it washes right off. Sometimes I'll also use a little Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda. Another tip I use is boiling water and baking soda. If I can fit the pan or dish in the biggest pot I have I will set it in, fill with water and about 1/2 c to a full cup of baking soda. Let it simmer for about an hour then use tongs to check the progress by carefully scraping a little with a knife. Keep boiling it until its completely clean. It will cut the grease without damaging the dish.
That's great to hear! After I tried it, I posted a review of the oven cleaner method and some folks expressed concern about the finish. Apparently, some people tried it and it left their Pyrex streaky. I had good luck with it, though.http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.ca/2015/01/good-bye-greasy-grimy-mess.htmlI will definitely try your boiling water trick next time! Sounds effective!
I’ve had great success with oven cleaner to remove baked on gunk—especially along seams and within grooves—but I’ve used a non-lye spray formula. I think it’s a bit more gentle. The Pyrex and Fire-King pieces where I applied looked pristine afterwards.
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That’s so great to know!!
I've used oven cleaner on all mine from the thrift store especially those 13×9 pans. Works great.
That's great! So happy some of those grimey pieces are getting rescued!
Baking soda OMG I used to laugh at people who would say that I use it for my fridge to say odor free I mean what can it do?! EVERYTHING!! THAT'S WHAT …I use it for all my Pyrex finds. YOU have my dream kitchen I LOVE IT!!! I use it for my 1st wash when I get home I do not use a sponge but just my fingers hearing rubber dish washing gloves and I rub it in no mater it it's grease or scratches and white vinegar to help for the second rub I can't believe backing soda was so strong but never ruins anything at all I now buy 1 big box a week!NICE POST THANKS!
Thanks so much, my kitchen does make me pretty darn happy. Baking soda is so awesome, I totally agree! I use it to clean my tub and don't know how I lived with out it. I buy multi packs at Costco and people wonder what the heck I'm baking to require so much, lol. Thanks for sharing your tips! I'll try adding some vinegar next time!
I'll keep checking for updates I see so many pages and I love them but this inspired me my husband saw this and old me you answered. I held him hostage before he went to work and made him look at your kitchen. (He's learned a really good skill I would compare it to ''the fainting goat'' except he doesn't faint but rather when he hears the word ''Pyrex'' it's like BOOM where did my husband go?He turns into a zombie in a trance almost because he knows it will be followed by a long long conversation 99% of it being me. Oh no kinda like I think I'm about to do now (sorry). As soon as I'm done he comes back. However he didn't do it this morning he actually said wow that is really nice and like I said I've seen it all. There is something that set it off with yours even with ''Dawn of the Dead'' over here I think it's because it's simple but elegant and not hoarder or junkie looking like some can be. Then you got the dreamers if only they knew how hard something so cute could be to build because it seems it easy ha ha we all know how that goes. We become over taken by delusions of grandeur until were in the middle of the project than all you hear is cash registers one after the other but it pays off. In other words I know how hard you worked your butt off and your fingers to the bone ((AND THAT WAS ONLY THE SETTING UP THE DISHES FOR DISPLAY) It's not that the dishes are just put up there … oh no, no, no … NO WAY that is pure skill and art and is time consuming your awesome and very much an artist. A miracle happen with ''Walking Dead'' when he came home from work he said he was going to take measurements Saturday for my shelves (finally 2 months after I filled the kitchen cabinets) and I mean all of them but he doesn't know about the linen closet I've been hoarding Pyrex and a blue cornflower corning set for a month now oh and I LOVE your big glass cracker barrel type over sized jars, I have 2 that size and 13 glass vintage Planters peanut jars made by Anchor Hocking I'll send you a pic link to my Pinterest when I'm done with it all. We should be around 80 years old 🙂 Oh and ''BAKING'' SODA on the 1st comment I left I wrote ''Backing'' the 2nd time I mentioned it. Believe it or not ''Phantasm'' is the one who noticed it, hey maybe a cure for his human fainting goat problem is near!! P.S Are you in the USA? You don't have to answer just curious your kitchen looks Australian like a Queen lander remember the ones on fantasy island? Of all shows lol … Oh well I just love it. Have a great day! THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR POSTING !!
Oh my gosh your comment made me laugh! I read the line about the fainting goat to my hubby – hope he doesn't try that trick from now on. Thanks for all of your kinds words! So am I to understand you're getting some new shelves from hubby? That's so exciting! Your linen closet stash is going to enjoy seeing the light of day.I'm in Canada, actually, but riiiight on the border and I hop over all of the time to Minnesota – so much so, that I think I have a Minnesotan accent, lol, because they never guess I'm Canadian over there but they can spot other Canadians in a second. Funny thing is my jars are new! I got them from Canadian Tire but I spotted them at Target once in the States. I love all of these vintage-inspired dishes and jars they have – I got the new blue mason jars too (back before they cost a million dollars). I'd love to see your collection, though, so definitely let's connect on Pinterest! I always love following fellow Pyrex collectors because I know you'll be pinning great stuff!
The best solution I have come across so far is an 11 oz. tube of Peek. It only takes minimal amounts and works with very just a little elbow grease involved. ***Note that on severely dishwasher damaged pieces it may take a little of the color off, but still works really really well.
I will have to try some! Thanks for the tip – I love hearing about new products to try on sadly Pyrex pieces and I'm always so happy to know that other folks try to rescue them too!
Great info! Impressive collection! I think you meant OVEN cleaner in the last paragraph? Not over?
Oop, yes! Thanks for catching that!
i have a set of the big and little rectangle baking dishes and square refrigerator ones from 40's that i don't use. they r in good condition. i'm trying to convince my adult children that they have value, so they don't throw them away when i'm gone. 🙂 do u have any idea what they would be worth? i also have couple of sets that were wedding presents in 1970-any idea if people would buy them?? i do use these occasionally, i don't cook or bake much anymore. thanks.
The value of vintage Pyrex is all over the map. Some pieces fetch hundreds, others you can't give away! And it changes, as collectors find new pieces to covet. The best thing is to do an advanced search on ebay and check out some sold prices – that's what I often do!
What is the bowl pattern you have in one of your above pictures, it is white background with turquoise pans, dutch ovens hanging utensils coffee pit and tea kettle around the bowl? I cannot find a name for that pattern and do you know what year it is made?
It's by Hazel Atlas, called Kitchen Utensils. It came in a different style of bowl, and also other styles. I think it's late 50s, early 60s.
I also love vintage bakeware and have had pieces with baked on grease. I used some goo gone gel spray and let them sit in the sink after being sprayed. Once they sat for 10 to 15 minutes I used cotton balls to wipe off the goo gone gel and the grease. this has worked wonderfully for all of my clear and white milk glass. I have not tried it on any of the painted pieces but it would be worth an experiment since you do not have to do any scrubbing. Just thought you might like this little hint. Thanks!
Thanks for the tip! I even have some goo-gone under the sink, but it's never dawned on me to try it on painted Pyrex. Next time I find a lost cause, I'll give it a go.
Just be careful with the oven cleaner…it will take some paint off. I learned the hard way when I thought it would be a good idea to clean my stove hood with it. It cleaned it alright…clear down to the metal and I had to re-paint it. Love all of your ideas, though. I have a cleaning service (33 years) and I'm always interested in new cleaning ideas!!
Thanks for the good tip! I'm guess in 33 years you've learned a lot about using products in creative ways 🙂
Thanks for the info! This is exactly what I needed to clean up the grayed Pyrex I just found. Bar Keeper's Friend took it right off, and it looks better than I could've imagined!
So happy I could help! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂
Careful! I've read (and had friends verify) that vintage Pyrex has lead based glaze. Of course you're not eating off the glazed part, but with all of this scrubbing on this amazing collection you've surely been exposed. Just watch any kiddos!
Hello, My name is Christina and I work for Bar Keepers Friend. I came across your blog on Pinterest. I just wanted to say WOW and thanks for such great, kind words. I'll be sure to share this as well.
Hi Christina, thanks so much – I'd appreciate that! I'm a huge fan of Bar Keeper's Friend – I always have a few cans under my sink.
I have had good luck using Klean King, probably a similar product to bar keepers friend but it excels at baked on grease
That's a good tip, thanks! I love all of the info I've collected from fellow Pyrex collectors, thanks so much for taking the time to share 🙂
For the baked on black marks, I sometimes use a baking sofa paste made with just water and it works very well. Thanks for all your tips!��
Hi how are you Im a pyrex collectors for many years And i figure out a way to remove everything at once From baked deposit grease,utensils marked inside/out you named itSince i did buy some pyrex online that was in bad shape i try bar keepers friend as well but did do a little andI was still not happy Then one day i was polish compound my car and to the next i think Wat the hell ,let me try this on my pyrex dishes afterall i had some turquoise colors in so bad shape ,well i had nothing to loose anyway and it turn out that the scratchmarks and baked deposit,grease mark begin to dessapear like magic ,just light scrubbed with a piece of smooth rag and watch them gone at onceAnd not only it takes away all utensils Scratches and baked depositBut it brings back the original color lustre shine just like it was out of the factoryIn my case i had turtle wax clearcoat compound ,beaware to do not use heavyduty rubbing compound because that is realy abbressive and you gonna endup sanding down the color and take away even printed patterns Again clearcoat rubbing compound After i done just washup with non scratch sponge water and soapIt work great on corning ware dishes as well It brings back that shine that you never gonna need coconut oil again to shine themThanks you all and hope this can help you all Kind regardsSergio
forgot to mention that i did use clear coat compound in liquid and not paste you can try clear coat liquid compound/premium liquid compound/light compound all depends which brand you will buyagain thanks
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing tips and tricks! I am so thrilled that fellow collectors have enjoyed this post and really pleased to see that so many people have left comments with their own experiences, making this a resource for collectors that totally exceeded my expectations for this post! So thank you, again!
Thank
This post gave me an idea. I use car wax on my appliances, generally twice a year. Might work on dull Pyrex. Might even be able to bake using it (think car surface, hot AZ heat). I think I'll give it a try.
Ooooo interesting idea!! I'd love to hear how it works out!!
I'm thinking the water, baking soda, dish soap glop/paste I spread on burnt out pans might take the black grease build up off. I spread it on, leave it overnight, scrub with a non-scratch thing, repeat until you can't stand it any more. I've been reading about baking soda and vinegar for steel pans but you can't leave it overnight or for days, it might etch. I did one of those ceramic non-stick fry-pans for a friend of mine. It had a glaze of burned grease on the inside like a seasoned cast iron. It took me about a week. Speaking of cast iron, I bet you could cook the Pyrex with the oil in an standard oven. At least with a high temp oil like flax seed. Worst thing that would happen would be it would cure to a non-clear color. I don't collect, but I might try that with one of my old pieces.
Would lemon juice and salt work or baking soda and vinegar? I don't know if it would be safe for the finish but this is what I use to clean burned on grime in my oven and on my pans.
Thank you Tanya for a Lovely article. I always try to clean up the broken Vintage pieces we receive before we begin working on them so I also have had to test out a few methods over the years. (Well between collecting myself & us working on the vintage #PyrexJewelry)💡 I got a great tip from a collector here in Florida: Denture Cleaner tablets❣ I get the least expensive brand, fill my dish pan in the sink with Warm water (enough to cover whatever dish I am working on or the area), drop in 3-5 tablets depending on the Number of pieces I'm working on/mass/size, and Then I put the piece(s) in – but wait until the tablets close to 1/2-way finished fuzzing. Then depending upon the level of "grime" or even DWD I let sit for in the water/solution for 30 to 60-ish minutes.💡 Then I spray with my own tip: Spray N' Wash❣ and gently scrub at the grime or DWD with a blue scrubby (gentle, pack from Dollar Tree). Then just Rinse! I use the 2 steps now even Before going to my BKF slurry (Bar Keepers Friend) because it's SO much less harsh/damaging on all vintage dishes. And I've used it on not only Pyrex and it's "cousins" (Federal, Hazel-Atlas, etc.) but also Corelle, 1940s Fiesta, Depression & Carnival glass, just to name a few. So good luck with your trials!!~ Lora of Divine Spirit Creations
Oooo great tips! You make Pyrex jewelry?? That's so cool! Do you have a link to an etsy shop or anything? Would love to share that here for the collectors who find this article 🙂
Once you rub it with coconut oil do you rinse that off or do you just wipe it off? Would baking it help?
I sort of buff it in so it's not greasy but leaves a shine. It's just for mixing bowls or display pieces. You can use a piece that's oiled (it will slowly wear off) but it can't be used for oven applications. Or so I've been told…
I am so glad you left this up! I used to have a massive vintage Pyrex collection and always used Barkeeper's Friend on it to bring it back. I have inherited some non-vintage,clear Pyrex with nasty baked on laziness and I'm trying to get it off without scratching the glass. I moved in with my bf and it was in this skinny kitchen cupboard that I thought was a fake door. It's been in there for at least 5 years. He didn't even know he had it and thought the maid had tucked it in there. So what is on there is really stubborn. Your tips are absolutely valuable, thank you! If I can get these pieces clean, it'll save me at least $150 in replacing them. Any other tips for cleaning non-vintage, clear glass bake-ware?
Oooo, good question! For clear, non-vintage stuff you can be a little tougher because you don't have to worry about wrecking the painted design. I use chore boy scrub pads and those give any cleaner an extra oomph but they're not as gross as steel wool. I will use that chore boy scrub pad with concentrated dish soap sometimes for really greasy messes. I've been using vinegar + water (half and half) with a drop of dish soap for tough tub scum and it's awesome! Followed with some baking soda it's amazing. Wonder if that would cut through grease like it does soap scum? Also oven cleaner works wonders on grease. I had the dog's omega 3 fluid leak onto our dryer and get burned on and oven cleaner worked like a charm on that. I link to my oven cleaner experiments in this post – look for the big long picture with the brown little fridgies. Hope this helps a little more? Good luck! And let me know if you can get them clean!
hijust cleaning my wifes auction pyrex lots, all are always grubby and stained. i normally use a brillo pad and with the ingrained over baked black marks in the really tiny cracks, scratches and seams i use a diamond fine file. these are very cheap and come in a pack of ten allsorted shapes. using the very fine tip one always gets the black marks out, even in the small raised numbers on the bottom or under the handle parts and in any minute surface cracks. I just thought i should look online and see how other like minded people are cleaning pyrex type bowls. i enjoyed your article and will try some of the suggestions. Anon from uk
After four years, I just discovered this post via Pinterest and I am so glad I did. The cleaning tips are excellent. I have used no-fume oven cleaner on vintage glass Fire-King pieces and on patterned milk glass Pyrex with major success. The baked on grease was removed without any damage to the finish and the pieces remained shiny. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Relikology
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Happy to help! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a nice comment.
re PYREX jewelry. I just Googled it on Etsy and got to the site of one of the posters here. THEN I did the same on eBay and found more pieces although different! Thanks, you just cost me money!
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Oooos! Sorry!l, haha!
I have a blue snowflake patterned casserole that belonged to my father in law. It was very clean on the inside etc so no worries there. I’ve just roasted turkey and made sweet potatoes in the dish and they were in the oven together and unfortunately the tin foil touched the sides of the dish unbeknownst to me:( now I have black marks on the painted sides of the dish…. any ideas to remove these marks????
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Oh no! That’s never happened to me before but I have had luck removing mystery black marks with a Mr. Clean magic eraser. Wet it very lightly and use the edge to scrub just the marks (it can lift finish/shiny parts if used too heavily). I have a strong feeling that this will help, but use a light touch. Good luck!
Beautiful collection! I have a set of nesting bowls from VV that i purchased yesterday that i will clean w Bar Keepers Friend. Did u also know that it works amazingly on brass too. Makes it look like gold.
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Ooo great tip, thanks!
Easy Off works well but do not leave it on for more than 3 minutes. Use a Q-tip for those small pock-marks of grease around the edges. I use ‘Peek’ to give my pieces a good polish after the cleaning is finished.
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Great tip! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Very clever, I’m gong to try it today !
Thank you for sharing.
Kim
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happy to help 🙂
Do you have a suggestion for pieces that are still used but dull? Since coconut oil is not suggested
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I’m sorry I don’t. I suggest just love them and use them, that’s what I do.
does anyone know if its safe to use ( ccok with ) dull dishwater wrecked pyrex , Im presuming with this lead possibilities its safer with pyrex that has not lost its glaze than dishwater damaged
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I’m not sure, but these two articles helped make it a little clearer for me:
http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2015/10/how-bad-is-lead-in-vintage-pyrex.html
http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2016/12/myth-busting-is-there-really-lead-in-vintage-pyrex-anchor-hocking-bowls-baking-dishes.html
It seems the paint is the biggest issue so if it’s flaking off because it’s no longer under a clear coat, I imagine that would be a bigger problem than a piece that is shiny and looks new? Having said that, I have used lots of DWD Pyrex so I’m not an expert because this hasn’t really worried me. Hopefully someone has a better answer 🙂
Try Peek Polish. Works like a charm!
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Great tip thanks for sharing!
Tanya, just found your site today and want to say thanks for keeping it active all these years! Such a delightful find! I have learned so many tips, from the beginning posts to now. Love your warm writing style. Heading out to my local thrifting sites right now and picking up a few cleaning products mentioned. Thank you all very much for your tips! Snow is deep here in Michigan but we are tough. 😊
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Hi Theresa, Welcome! And thanks so much for leaving me such a lovely comment. Haha, we have deep snow here too. I can’t wait for spring.
Good luck at the thrifts and with cleaning your finds. I’m so grateful to all of the people who followed up and left great tips in the comments too.
This is a great post…helpful info and years of sharing helpful conversation. Im going to try two products when i see them thanks! I have found spray n wash or shout for laundry very effective at removing baked on grime without damage to the surface. Does require a good wash with soap after to remove any residue that wouldnt be good to injest but the grime just lifts off. I haven’t tried yet but another pin im going to test suggested soaking in water with a dryer sheet. Thanks again!
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Thanks for your comment and for contributing another awesome tip to the collection! I hadn’t heard of spray and wash – what a great idea.
A good read, thank you. Definitely the oven cleaner and plastic bag trick for me. I’ve used it for baked on grime on quite a few pieces of coloured JAJ Gaiety snowflake and daisy and it works like magic. I don’t scrub. If all the grime doesn’t come off first time round, I wash the dish, and repeat the process. Sadly I’ve just had an online purchase turn up with dishwash damage (a coral snowflake spacesaver, sob – it looked fine in the online auction pics) – so I found this page while looking for tips to tart it up a bit cosmetically. Off to find some coconut oil…..
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Oh no I’m sorry to hear that your new purchase had DWD. That’s so frustrating and sad! I’m happy you found this information useful and thanks for sharing your tips/experience with us.
I used a pyrex baking dish to heat soup in the microwave. When I lifted it out by the “ears” where the “high water mark ” on the dish was the whole top broke off. So sad, it was a turquoise dish.
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That is so sad! Thermal shock perhaps? A weakness in the glass? It’s best to avoid sudden temperature changes with Pyrex (and any glass really).
Have you ever tried Bon Ami cleaning powder on your imperfect Pyrex pieces? I’ve had a lot of success using it to remove baked on grease stains, and even some of those black scuff marks on pieces I’ve thrifted.
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Oooo good tip! I haven’t used Bon Ami on Pyrex before, I’ll have to try it.
I read your post with great interest! You have great info on how to restore Pyrex! I like your suggestions. Let me say to our collector friends that BAKING with older and well-used Pyrex/Corning/Anhcor/Fire King, or other old heat-resistant glass ware should be treated with caution. Use the heat with new ware! I use my older glass ware for serving only.
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Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
One question: Why do you keep your vintage glassware for serving only? I have heard concerns about lead (although that seemed to be debunked) and breaking, but I think that’s attributed to thermal shock (can happen to new and old glass). I’m just curious about your reasons? I have been using (baking, storing, serving) vintage Pyrex for 20 years. My only problem came once when I accidentally poured water on a dish that was too hot out of the oven and it cracked. It was a pink cake pan, I’m still sad lol. It would be hard to convince me not to cook with it – it’s why I buy it! But I am curious!
HI All
i could not read all comments but just to share a few thoughts; FIRST very nice information and funny to see that Pyrex is now collectable. is there any price listing I could use a guide?
SECONDLY: OVEN CLEANER – please realize that this product is mostly made up from NaOH(sodium hydroxide) and extremely dangerous to your skin, eyes etc. It dissolves paints but also make holes in your clothing and brown spot in wood as it eats away material by oxidizing it.
I use it on glazed stoneware (for oven use) if the dishwasher can not clear the brown spots. Leave it in for 1 or 2 hours and carefully flush with water. it will stain a artificial stone kitchen surface and probably also natural stone.
To save on materials in my house and money: i used solid sodium hydroxide, which dissolves in hot water with bubbles. Normally used to get a non functioning toilet going again. Be careful, wear eye protection etc. but that really works on ovenware with brown- black caked stains. How well it works on pyrex with decoration is something i never tried. But in the future i might starting to collect so then i know.
check your bottle of oven cleaner what it contains!
The coconut oil works great to bring back the shine to dull Pyrex. Thanks so much.
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Happy to help!
So I too love this color, it is in fact my favorite. I was wondering if you could share the name of the paint and brand used for the cabinets if you know it please? Thank you!!!
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Hello Marysol, thank you so much! The kitchen cabinet color is CIL Niagara Mist.
You can see more of it (with better photos) by clicking here.
I have a black snowflake pyrex that has light scratches on it. I cannot find any solutions for cleaning black pyrex. I tried the options you mentioned, but nothing works. I have been successful with other colors…so super frustrated with the black. Any ideas?? Thank you!
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That is very odd! I have never tried to clean black Pyrex so I’m sorry I don’t have tips for that color, I didn’t realize the other tricks wouldn’t work on it. There are other tips/tricks in the comments – you might want to comb through and try some of them.
Please shop first at the true thrift stores run by non-profit and religious groups. Even if like me you are not religious, they offer better value and run with a least some volunteer labour. The charities which take their donations to VV get very little in return. Don’t let monster companies like Value Village push non-profits out of the fundraising “business.” Thanks.
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It’s true, the prices at VV have become outrageously high, out of the reach of many people who need to shop secondhand- and I doubt that the charities have seen such an epic increase in donations made to them by the company. I try to support the “true” thrift stores as well but in my small city there aren’t many so I won’t lie: I go to all of them, even VV.
My theory on the gray marks on Corelle, Corning ware, and Pyrex, is that they come from having aluminum items in the dishwasher at the same time as the dishes; that the soap makes a chemical reaction with the aluminum and this marrs your bowls, plates, casserole dishes. I have stopped putting my aluminum cookie sheets in the dishwasher and my dishes have stopped having the marks. In the early seventies, 1972, there was a product stocked beside the store dishwasher soaps in a tube that you put some in your dishwasher along with your regular dw detergent and this took all those gray spots off of your dishes. I have called many companies looking for this product again, but cannot find it. If anyone remembers who made it or the name of it please let me know!
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That’s a very good theory!
Another product to try is, ‘The Pink Stuff’. It does a great job also! The manager of my apt. complex made a surprise visit one day, I had about 15 minutes to straighten everything up. I had some dirty dishes, so what did I do! I put them in the oven and later forgot about them and turned my oven on to pre-heat. I had a sink full of burnt dishes. There was not a lot food on them, I always try to wash everything off of dirty dishes and then wash a bit later, but I don’t always get all of them. I had a big mess, glassware, pots, pans, silverware and the pink stuff worked miracles! I hope I learned my lesson but I doubt it. I can see myself doing it again, thinking to myself, Oh I won’t forget them this time. We’ll see if I ever have to do it again!
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That’s a great tip (and a funny story – although I’m sure at the time it was so annoying!). Thanks so much for sharing!
I have a one-step trick for removing baked-on grease. It’s a bit weird, but it works so well! Buy a tub of Oxy-Clean powder (yes, the stuff for laundry). Put one scoop of Oxy-Clean in a bin of hot water and soak the item that has the baked-on grease in it overnight. The next morning, you will be able to wipe most of the baked-on stuff with a paper towel, and a kitchen scrubby will take off the rest. I use this trick every time I make lasagna.
One disclaimer – ONLY use this trick on glass/Pyrex/porcelain. I made the mistake of trying it on my aluminum / non-stick metal baking trays, and it ruined the finish.
Author
Great tip! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank You for all the great tips and pictures of your precious collection. I didn’t realize I had started a collection of Pyrex but I do have a few good pieces and wanted to ask your opinion about bringing the “shine” back on dull pieces. I love your suggestion about the coconut oil and one lady uses a skin lotion. I started using mineral oil years ago for lack of knowledge on what would work. What do you think & it is inexpensive. Thanks again
Author
Unfortunately there’s no permanent way, that I know of, to bring back the shine on dull pieces. Coconut oil worked well for me, but if you have success with skin lotion or mineral oil, then I can’t see the harm. Of course, this is only for a display piece. But I say, whatever works for you – especially if you already have it on hand! Thanks so much for your comment and I hope you enjoy continuing your collection of Pyrex.