Wash your hands after handling stained glass. The solder seams and metal borders of stained glass contain lead. Lead is only harmful if ingested, but it’s a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after handling stained glass.

Exception: Items that are meant to be worn or frequently handled (like jewelry or boxes) are typically made with lead-free solder. When in doubt, ask the person who made it!

It’s best to attach stained glass to something sturdy and stationary, ideally from a hook screwed into the window frame. Set the hook an inch or two out from the window pane if you’ll need clearance to open the window. Screw eye bolts are a great solution.

You could drape the piece from a latch or lock on the window, but be careful when opening or closing the window!

If you’re hanging a piece on the wall, a screw into a stud should be sufficient.

3M Command Strips made for glass may suffice if you can’t hang the piece using a hook. Be sure to use one that can support the weight of the glass, and check the strips periodically to make sure they still have good adhesion. They are more reliable than suction cups, but still not the best option.

Suction cups should be avoided as they may detach and cause your piece to fall and break. If you decide to use suction cups anyway, check them once a week and push them in to ensure they are still attached.

Your piece will come with a hanging device attached (chain or fiber cord). If this doesn’t meet your needs, you can easily replace it with a chain or cord of your choosing. Keep in mind that some fibers may stretch or break down over time. Avoid using a decorative jewelry chain or anything else that isn’t meant for bearing weight.

Glass pieces purchased from me have been cleaned and polished with wax. Aside from dusting, you may never need to clean your piece. I don’t recommend using window cleaners or chemicals, which may damage the solder or glass. Use a microfiber rag to remove dust.

If you do want to wash your piece, use dish soap and a soft brush or cloth rag. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

If you notice any white "crust" along lead lines, it may be wax that has dried (sometimes this shows up days or weeks after it’s first applied). To remove, rub gently with a microfiber rag or use a cotton swab.

The metals and finishes used in stained glass tend to naturally oxidize over time. When your stained glass object is finished, it's waxed to slow down this process but this is a natural occurrence that will happen to stained glass.

If, over time, your piece becomes dull, you can restore the shine by applying a thin layer of carnauba car wax and buffing with a microfiber rag.