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How to clean glassware

Reading Time: 6 minutes | Article from 17.5.2024
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Clear, sparkling glasses are not only a visual delight but also an essential part of any table setting and beverage experience. From an everyday tumbler to elegant wine glasses or special glasses for cocktails, understanding how to clean glassware properly is vital to maintaining their beauty and quality. In this guide, we share various techniques, products and useful tips to help you keep your glasses spotlessly clean and restoring their sheen.

At a glance

  • Proper care ensures clean and shiny glasses
  • Gentle washing by hand is always recommended for long-stemmed glasses
  • Polishing is the best way of removing hard water stains from glass and makes them shine
  • To avoid glass corrosion, use a mild detergent and wash at a low temperature

How to clean glassware properly

By purchasing Villeroy & Boch glasses, you are opting for high-quality products. To ensure long-lasting enjoyment, it is important to follow some cleaning and care guidelines.

Dishwasher-safe glasses can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Ensure they are placed securely to prevent them from hitting each other, which can cause scratches and breakages. Always use the top rack and choose a gentle or glass-specific cycle with a short duration and low temperature, taking into account the water hardness.

However, not all glasses are dishwasher-safe. Read the product details to check whether or not your Villeroy & Boch glasses can be washed this way. In general, long-stemmed wine glasses should be washed by hand rather than in the dishwasher. Use a soft cloth, warm water and a mild washing-up liquid to clean your glasses. Then dry them carefully and polish if necessary.

Washing glasses by hand

Let’s imagine you enjoyed some red wine with friends last night using your new Manufacture red wine glasses. These glasses are not dishwasher-safe and should be washed by hand. Now, you might be wondering when to clean your wine glasses. Since red wine can leave unsightly stains both on and inside the glasses, it's advisable to soak them the same evening. The next day, wash the glasses in lukewarm water with a bit of dish soap. This will help remove the grease from lips and fingers on the glass surfaces.

Clean glasses safely and effectively

After cleaning, rinse your glasses again with lukewarm water to remove all traces of washing-up liquid. This is important to prevent streaks from forming on the surface of the glass which will stop your wine from sparkling. Leave the glasses to drain for a short while and then dry them carefully with a cloth to remove any remaining water stains.

How to polish glassware and restore their shine

To make your fine red wine glasses truly shine, you can give them an extra polish. Excellent results can be achieved with a special microfiber cloth or a linen cloth. Tip: Hold the glasses over light steam first. This will leave them streak-free and very shiny. To check for any fingerprints or fluff on the glass, hold the polished glass up to the light. If the glasses are completely clean, store them safely in their original box in the cupboard to protect them from dust and stains.

Various cocktails, elegantly presented in Manufacture glasses on a modern bar table with atmospheric lighting.
Glasses and jugs from the Villeroy & Boch Rose Garden collection on a round marble table with drinks and citrus fruits.


Stains, deposits or corrosion?

Glasses often no longer look quite as good after several cycles in the dishwasher. Deposits or glass corrosion can cause them to become cloudy and stained. But what are the differences and how can you prevent these problems? Read on to find out how to make cloudy glasses crystal clear again!

Avoiding glass corrosion

Glass corrosion results from high temperatures and strong cleaning agents during washing. Tiny cracks develop on the glass surface. Although the glasses don't break, they become cloudy in the affected areas due to an accumulation of small deposits. Glass corrosion cannot be reversed so it is important to take preventative measures. Use mild detergents to clean your glasses and wash them at a low temperature. This also applies to all Villeroy & Boch high-quality crystal glasses, from water glasses to white or red wine glasses, champagne glasses and beer glasses.

Avoiding deposits on glasses

Deposits on glasses can be avoided by letting the glasses sit overnight with water or by rinsing them immediately with lukewarm water. For cleaning, a soft microfiber cloth and a mild dish detergent are recommended. Be sure to rinse with clear water afterward to prevent a grey veil from forming.

What else can I do to prevent marks on glasses?

Do your glasses still not look clean even after washing in the dishwasher? This could perhaps be due to the actual dishwasher. The drain might be blocked. Any dirty water that can’t drain away will circulate repeatedly around the glasses. Dirt particles will then be baked onto the glasses as they dry. It is therefore important to check the dishwasher drain and top up the salt and rinse aid.

A group of people holding like. champagne coupes decorated with berries.


Removing limescale deposits

As well as glass corrosion, limescale can also make bottles and glasses look cloudy. To clean stained glasses, soak them in hot water with an added rinse aid or citric acid for 20 to 30 minutes then wipe the dissolved limescale off with a cloth.

Soaking bath for glasses

Limescale deposits are unsightly and unhygienic. A soaking bath is a good method to gently remove limescale from delicate and high-quality glasses. Prepare a small tub of warm water for your immersion bath. Dissolve one to two tablespoons of white vinegar in the water and then place the glasses upside down in it. Remove the glasses after around 30 minutes, rinse them and polish them dry.

Scrubs for vases and glassware

Imagine you have purchased a high-quality glass vase from Villeroy & Boch, for instance from the Rose Garden collection, and it has unsightly deposits from flowers. No problem: A glass scrub is the solution. Fill the vase with water and add a tablespoon of citric acid, coarse salt and a tablespoon of crushed eggshells. Then swirl the vase in a circular motion to loosen the deposits. Wait for around 30 minutes and then rinse the vase with cold water. You can also use this method to clean water or beer glasses for water or beer.

Extra shine with baking soda

If you decide to clean your glasses in the dishwasher, there is a little trick you can use to make them shine. Add baking soda, found in most households, to the detergent for each dishwasher cycle. A heaped teaspoon is all you need. This will make your glasses and the rest of your crockery literally sparkle. Baking soda also has a disinfectant and odour-absorbing effect.

Two filled Manufacture red wine glasses on a table next to an elegant Purismo wine decanter.
A Rose Garden vase with pink flowers and a gift on a table.
Four champagne glasses from the Purismo collection with berries on a tray.


Cleaning cloudy and dull glasses

You don't need to immediately throw away and replace cloudy or dull glasses. If you are wondering how to make cloudy glasses crystal clear again, read on. There are lots of household remedies you can use to give them a new lease of life. If your glasses are just slightly cloudy, simply polish them carefully with a cloth until the film disappears. Another option is to soak the glasses in water with a little acetic acid or citric acid for 30 minutes. You can even use potato peelings to clean cloudy glasses. Rub the peelings into the glasses and then rinse them with warm water.

A chilled cocktail garnished with lime zest, served in a Purismo cocktail glass on a marble table, accompanied by a small bowl of snacks and a white vase with green plants.

How to make your glasses gleaming again

There is no great mystery to keeping glasses clean and shiny. In general, gentle washing by hand is recommended. If you want to clean your dishwasher-safe glasses in the dishwasher, select the lowest possible washing temperature, check the water hardness level and use the correct amount of detergent. Limescale deposits or stains can often be removed using gentle household remedies, such as citric acid, vinegar and baking soda. A quick polish after cleaning will make your glasses sparkle again.

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