ABOUT PLASTICS & PLASTIC CARE
ACRYLIC
Acrylic is molded plastic with great clarity and transparency, and is a good substitute for glass, as it is shatterproof. However, acrylic will crack or break if dropped! acrylic glassware will not yellow, and the colors are weather and sunlight resistant; acrylic drinkware resists most chemicals found in normal use. some of the better-known brands of acrylic plastic are Plexiglass and Lucite. Acrylic glasses are BPA-free.
- Acrylic plastic glasses and drinkware are NOT dishwasher-safe. Other companies may claim that acrylic glassware can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but this is incorrect. Dishwasher cleaning agents and heat will quickly cause acrylic plastic glassware to "craze" (develop fine lines or hairline cracks) and leak.
- Hand washing is the only way to clean acrylic products; again, dishwasher rinse agents and heat will cause quickly cause acrylic glasses to crack and craze (develop hairline cracks).
- Microwave: Acrylic plastic glassware is not recommended for microwave use.
- To safely remove sticker residue: Please use a lubricant such as WD-40 (or any other oil-based brand), or liquid vegetable oils such as Wesson. Don’t use Goo-Gone, nail polish remover or turpentine, as these will damage acrylic.
POLYCARBONATE
While polycarbonate glasses and plastic cups may look like acrylic glassware, polycarbonate glassware has a far superior impact and heat resistance than acrylic. It is the same material used to make eyeglass lenses and bullet proof glass - polycarbonate plastic glassware is unbreakable and extremely durable. Polycarbonate unbreakable glasses will maintain their clarity and appearance, and will not crazing after repeated use and washing. The drawback is that polycarbonate is more expensive than acrylic. one of the more popular brand names of polycarbonate is Lexan. a by-product of the polycarbonate manufacturing process is BPA, which has recently been the subject of some controversy. Please see our "About BPA" section below, for the latest findings on this topic.
- Dishwasher safe, top rack only.
- Low, normal or regular dishwasher cycles only!
Higher temperature settings (over 140 degrees f) such as “heavy duty”, “sanitize”, or “pots & pans” will cause cracks. - Turn off any “heat dry” or “heated dry” settings;; these high temperature settings will also cause polycarbonate to crack.
- Microwave – safe for reheating or warming only.
- Failure to follow these guidelines may void any manufacturer’s warranty.
- To safely remove sticker residue: Please use a lubricant such as WD-40 (or any other oil-based brand), or liquid vegetable oils such as Wesson. Don’t use Goo-Gone, nail polish remover or turpentine, as these will damage acrylic.
- "Energy Star", Bosch, Meile, Thermador & Viking dishwashers may have hot water temperatures greater than 140 degrees F. These and many other higher-end dishwashers also offer a "steam clean" cycle. If you own any of these machines, your polycarbonate, SAN, and Tritan™ products must be hand washed. No plastics can survive the high temperatures that these dishwasher use; we cannot be responsible for any damage caused by putting polycarbonate, SAN or Tritan™ items in dishwashers (FYI - commercial restaurant, hotel, & bar dishwashers only use temperatures from 140-160 F).
- California Residents Click Here for proposition 65 warning.
SAN
SAN (styrene acrylonitrile) is also a durable, break-resistant plastic. SAN plastic glassware is commercial-quality, break-resistant, but is slightly less glass-like than either polycarbonate or acrylic. However, the difference is minimal, and not usually noticeable. SAN plastic glasses are BPA-free.
- SAN care is the same as for polycarbonate (above).
TRITAN™
Tritan™ is a new BPA-free plastic material, similar to polycarbonate in durability. However, Tritan™ plastic stems are more flexible and not as rigid as polycarbonate stemsware.
- Tritan™ care is the same as as polycarbonate (above).
MELAMINE
A durable molded material from a different family of plastics with good heat resistance. Melamine is difficult to mold, but easy to decal and decorate. IT's hard surfaces can withstand most scratching from metal utensils. however, melamine will chip or crack if dropped on to hard surfaces such as tile, concrete, etc.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Melamine is not unbreakable, and may chip or crack if dropped on hard surfaces such as tile, marble, granite, or cement.
- Microwave - not recommended for microwave use (melamine will absorb heat, and may crack or blister).
- To safely remove sticker residue: Please use a lubricant such as WD-40 (or any other oil-based brand), or liquid vegetable oils such as Wesson. Don’t use Goo-Gone, nail polish remover or turpentine, as these will damage acrylic.
