How to Prevent Bloom on Your Glass
Bloom affects all glass; from your favorite rig to the wine glasses in your cabinet. Luckily, there are some easy ways to try to prevent this, but first we have to understand: what is bloom, how does it form, and why does it sometimes always appear?
What is Bloom and How Does it Form?
“Bloom” (also known as weatherization) is the formation of Carbonate Crystals, most often Sodium Carbonate (Na2C03) or Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3). These crystals accumulate over time, forming Bloom. Bloom appears as thin, cloudy, white lines or rings visible on glass when dry. It's important to note that Bloom is different than water stains from "hard" water.
The speed that Bloom forms depends on how the glassblower makes the piece. During the glassblowing process, glass is heated to extremely hot temperatures in a matter of minutes, melting it to be formed into various shapes. Even though the glass is heated up quickly, it must cool slowly and evenly to prevent cracks & breaks when it returns to room temp. If a glassblower rushes this cooling process, bloom is much more likely to form, most often at the seals of the piece. Although it seems to go away when the tube is filled with water, it will show again once it dries, and can't be removed if it's already showing!
Preventing Bloom
The easiest way to prevent Bloom is to use distilled water as much as possible. When using your glass, use distilled water. When cleaning your glass, use distilled water. Always rinse with distilled water to get those leftover minerals out! Although Borosilicate glass naturally has a resistance to Calcium and Sodium Carbonates, it doesn’t mean that it’s invincible to it. You can also add Fluorine Gas to reduce the risk of bloom forming in your piece.
The environment your glass is kept in can also have a large impact on Bloom. Sometimes, it can show up randomly depending on how the glass was made. After you clean a piece and rinse with distilled water, fully dry it before you store it. When you put it away, make sure it’s in a place with stable temperature and humidity. This helps reduce the possibility of Bloom forming from leftover water.
The Final Verdict
To summarize, the easiest way to prevent Bloom in your glass is to:
- Make sure you replace your distilled water regularly,
- Clean with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol & non-iodine natural salts,
- Fully dry before storing,
- Store in a stable and dry climate
There is no guaranteed way to avoid bloom, and sometimes it may never even show! But if you follow these steps and take good care of your glass, your piece will thank you!
Have any suggestions or additions to this article? Email riley@glasspass.com!