How to clean vintage Christmas ornaments – restoring grandma’s baubles

Remember those boxes in Grandma's attic, full of glass baubles from the '70s, '80s, maybe even earlier? Some shiny, others dull, scratched, with peeling paint. And you remember the feeling when Grandma would say, "This is a keepsake from your great-grandmother, it's a shame to throw it away." But at the same time, you saw that those baubles no longer looked the same – the paint had peeled off, the glass had darkened, the shine had vanished. As Czesław Niemen sang, "Strange is this world" – but even stranger when you have a bauble that remembers the communist era, and you don't know what to do with it.

Pillovely understands sentimental value – "The point of reference and inspiration is pop culture based on cult films, TV series, and music" – but also objects that remember a different era. Restoring old furniture from the communist era is part of the brand's DNA. And you can do exactly the same with baubles.

Why it's worth renewing, not throwing away

In 2025, when fast fashion has also affected holiday decorations, renovating old ornaments is an act of rebellion. It's zero waste before the term was invented. It's a combination of sentiment and ecology. As Grandma used to say, "Don't throw away until it's repairable."

Grandma's baubles are often:

• Hand-painted glass baubles from the Polish People's Republic
  

• Vintage Shiny Brite from the USA (1940s-1960s)
  

• German glass ornaments from Gablonz
  

• Czech glass baubles
  
  

Each one has a story. Each one was hanging on the Christmas tree before you were even born. And that's precisely why they deserve a second life.

Diagnosis: What Can Be Saved

Not every bauble can be restored. But most can.

You can save:

• Baubles with matte, peeling paint
  

• Scratched, no shine
  

• With dirty, dusty glass
  

• With a peeling decorative pattern
  
  

Cannot be saved:

• Cracked (unless you want to make a mosaic)
  

• With a hole in the glass
  

• With a completely corroded pendant
  
  

The Ballo 108x75 chest of drawers with drawers is the perfect place to store your refurbished baubles – safely, in the dark, at a controlled temperature.

Step 1: Cleaning

The first question: should the bomb be left as is, just refreshed? Or completely repainted? The cleaning method depends on this.

If you want to keep the original look:

Use a soft cloth and mild detergents. No water! Wipe away dust and dirt with a soft paper towel. Do not scrub – this may damage the original paint.

If you are planning to repaint:

Cotton swab + nail polish remover with acetone = a magical combination. Acetone cleans old paint, preparing the glass for a new coat. The glass must be even and clean – paints don't provide 100% coverage.

Step 2: Painting

You have several options – each with a different effect.

Chalk paint

A matte, satin effect. The baubles won't sparkle, but they will delicately diffuse the light. Perfect for vintage vibes.

Glass paints

A smooth, shiny finish. Ensure a smooth, clean surface. The effect is exactly what we expect from Christmas baubles – you can see your reflection in them.

Acrylic paints

Exactly the same as for walls. If you choose good quality ones, the baubles are washable. Plus: you have thousands of colors to choose from.

Spray paints

The simplest, fastest. Metallic, matte, gloss – everything is possible. Spray paints are a great option for those who want effortless elegance.

Nail polishes

Yes, really. Thanks to thin brushes, you can paint precise patterns. Plus: every woman has this at home. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote, "Perfection is not the inability to add, but the inability to take away" – and nail polish provides precisely that precision.

Step 3: Decorating

If a smooth bomb is not enough, you can add textures.

Brocade:
Spray glue + glitter = instant glamour. Spray, sprinkle, wait, then gently blow off excess.

Sequins, lace, ribbons:
You can attach practically anything with glue. Sequins, bits of ribbon, lace – the sky's the limit.

Pouch technique:
Wrap the bauble in a piece of fabric and tie the top like a purse. Simple, effective, and versatile – change the fabric to a different color next year.

Sponge patterns:
Gold paint + synthetic sponge = custom design. Gently tap the sponge to create texture.

The Trava Coffee Table 107x46 is the perfect surface for renovation – compact, stable, with a shelf for materials.

Step 4: Drying

This is crucial – a poorly dried bauble will stick, discolour and deteriorate.

DIY drying rack:
A cardboard box + skewer sticks = a professional drying rack. Cut small slits in the box lid, insert the skewers, and hang the baubles on them. Each coat of paint must dry before applying the next.

Warning: Lead Test

If the baubles are from before 1971, they may contain lead. This is especially true for American Shiny Brite baubles. Test for lead before actively using them. Better safe than sorry.

For those who remember the Polish People's Republic

You're part of the generation that remembers Grandma's Christmas tree—overwhelming yet beautiful. Who knows those old glass baubles aren't kitsch, but history. Who understands that sentiment isn't a weakness, but a value.

Pillovely has always talked about "breathing life into grandma's treasures." Restoring communist-era furniture is part of the brand's DNA. And you can do exactly the same with baubles – giving them a second life without losing their history. As Grzegorz Turnau sang: "Because we are the whole world" – and this world is also built on objects from the past.

Refurbishing old baubles isn't a whim—it's an act of remembrance and respect. Giving second life to something that once hung on your grandmother's, great-grandmother's, or maybe even your great-great-great-grandmother's Christmas tree. Pillovely believes that home is where the past meets the present. And that's why refurbished baubles—with old glass but new paint—are a symbol of who you are: someone who remembers where you came from but moves forward.