Unbreakable Glassware – Tumblers and Stemware

Acyrlic and polycarbonate are two of the most popular materials used to manufacture plastic glassware & drinkware. While acrylic or polycarbonate tumblers, wine glasses, martinis, champagne glasses and other stemware may look similar, both have their unique properties, advantages, and disadvantages.

ACRYLIC is a molded plastic with great clarity and transparency. Because acrylic is shatterproof, it’s a good substitute for glass – it’s also not difficult to make acrylic drinking glasses in many different colors. When dropped, acrylic glassware will scratch and may crack; however, acrylic drinkware will not yellow, and the colors are weather and sunlight resistant. Acrylic resists most chemicals found in normal use, but nail polish remover and Goo-Gone will damage the finish. The major downsides of acrylic drinkware are that it is not microwave or dishwasher-safe. You might get lucky, and have your acrylic tumblers survive a cycle or two in the dishwasher – but detergents and heat will cause cracking and small hairline cracks (called “crazing”).

POLYCARBONATE is similar to acrylic in appearance, but is an engineered plastic with superior impact and heat resistance. It is the same material used to make eyeglass lenses, airplane canopies, and bulletproof glass. Polycarbonate plastic glassware is extremely durable and virtually unbreakable. If dropped, polycarbonate will scratch – but unlike acrylic, polycarbonate drinkware will not crack. Polycarbonate tumblers and stemware will maintain their clarity and appearance – and will resist crazing – after repeated washings. However, some minimum care must be used: place polycarbonate plastic glassware on the top rack, and use only regular settings. Cycles such as “heavy duty”, “sanitize” or “pots and pans” heat the water to temperatures significantly higher than what commercial dishwashers use, and will cause polycarbonate to crack; “dry heat” or “heated dry” settings will also cause cracks. The major drawback is that polycarbonate is initially more expensive than acrylic. Polycarbonate is also microwave-safe for reheating or warming.

Note: There have recently been some alarms raised concerning BPA – one of the chemicals used in polycarbonate plastics (baby bottles specifically come to mind). BPA is also used in plastics that are used to line the insides of almost all canned foods. There are many pro- and anti-BPA articles online; it’s best if you make your own decisions based upon your own research of this matter.

REMOVING STICKERS AND LABLES is always a challenge! The best way to remove stickers and labels varies by product:

Acrylic – use WE-40 or a liquid vegetable oil. Do not use Goo-Gone, nail polish remover, or turpentine.

Polycarbonate – Goo-Gone is safe for polycarbonate plastics. WD-40 and liquid vegetable oil are also safe. Do not use nail polish remover or turpentine.