Repurpose Unsafe Vintage Milk Glass Mugs Into Beautiful Lights

Finding vintage milk glass in the thrift store is exciting — the opaque often white glass is stunning. But the concern over lead in the material is certainly a real worry. Consider a clever way to upcycle or display these pieces that doesn't involve eating or drinking out of them for a safer option. In fact, just by adding faux tea lights or fairy lights, you can elevate these glass pieces for your space. Turning them into stylish lighting for your shelving, tables, mantels, or any other area of your home is a creative solution to still show them off, and the worry over lead isn't as prevalent when you're using them for decoration only. Whatever you do, don't use real candles in milk glass as it could create dangerous lead fumes in your home. 

Milk glass became widely used in the Victorian era as an affordable alternative to porcelain, and to get the effect, ingredients like arsenic, fluorite, and lead-containing flint glass were used. That's where the risk comes in if you use these dishes as intended for eating and drinking or expose them to high heat. 

However, the opaque design offers a luxurious, stylish look adored by collectors and thrifters alike. Milk glass is extremely unique but also matches with a variety of aesthetics. Even Joanna Gaines has used this common thrift store item to style million-dollar homes. It also has the finish of an antique that seems expensive — even if you only paid a few dollars for it, the vibes are still that of a high-end material. It's a glass item you shouldn't pass up if you see it at a thrift store, and there are many clever ways to repurpose this glass, too.

One of the things to be wary of when it comes to buying milk glass is that it may contain lead. The older pieces are more likely to have this toxic ingredient in the material. Glass made before 1970 will most certainly have traces of it, which is why you should avoid consuming anything out of your purchases. Although Victorian-era milk glass isn't as common due to its age, it can still be found in antique stores, at estate sales, and even in thrift stores, which is why it's always wise to err on the side of caution. If it needs to be cleaned, this vintage glassware should never be put in the dishwasher, so make sure to hand wash it when you get home.

Even if you can't eat or drink out of a vintage version, you can still use it to decorate your home. If you come across milk glass mugs, you can upcycle them into the most aesthetic lights. Skip real candles in vintage milk glass as the heat can cause dangerous lead fumes. Instead, get the look by placing faux tea lights in the glass container. Because of the opaque nature of the milk glass, the effect of the light inside will create a soft glow that is ideal for any surface. 

For a different variation, you can combine saucers with cups you've found to add more dimension and style to your setup. Instead of battery-operated tea lights, you could also fill your mugs with a small cluster of twinkle lights that are battery-operated for a different effect. Arrange several milk glass candles together, or spread them throughout your decor.