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Clean Wine Glasses

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or unwinding after a long day with some Netflix and pinot noir, you don’t want to be drinking out of cloudy wine glasses or flutes dotted with unsightly water spots.

Learn how to properly clean and dry wine glasses to keep them looking their best.
 

But First, Some Stemware Basics

When you’re figuring out how to clean wine glasses, it helps to know the following fundamentals.

Avoid scented dish soap — Use a mild and unscented dishwashing liquid so that you don’t leave traces of the soap behind. Scented residue can alter the taste of your wine, and no one wants that.

Rinse if sitting overnight — Too tired to wash wine glasses after a dinner party? That’s understandable, but go ahead and rinse the glasses out with water to lessen the odds of staining or discoloration.

Don’t put glasses in the dishwasher — Regardless of whether wine glasses are made from fine crystal or actual glass, they shouldn’t see the inside of a dishwasher. The force of the jets could break the stems, and it’s also possible for particles in the dishwashing detergent to etch the glasses.

Use gentle cleaning tools — Wine glasses can be scratched easily, so keep those scrubby sponges, scouring pads, brushes and steel wool far away. A gentle microfiber cloth should get the job done nicely.

Hold the glass properly — It is possible for stems to snap during cleaning, especially if you’re working with delicate crystal. To prevent this, hold the bowl in the palm of your hand as you work.

Wipe wine glasses dry — Letting wine glasses drip dry can lead to unattractive streaks or water spots. Use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to wipe down your stemware so that it’s crystal-clear and ready to go the next time you uncork a bottle.
 

How to Clean Wine Glasses by Hand

The key to hand-cleaning stemware is simple: Wash one piece at a time to avoid the glasses bumping into each other and shattering.

You’ll need:
 
  • A basin
  • Unscented dishwashing liquid
  • Microfiber cloths
  • A plastic cup
 
  1. Fill your basin with hot water. Be careful: You don’t want it to be too hot, or you could cause the crystal or glass to crack.
  2. Add one very small drop of dishwashing liquid to the bowl of the wine glass.
  3. Dip your cup into the sink and add warm water to the bowl.
  4. Making sure you’re holding the glass properly, use a microfiber cloth to clean the bottom of the bowl and the rim.
  5. Pour the soapy water out and rinse the bowl of the glass and the rim until the water runs clear. Make sure you remove all of the soap. It’s a good idea to rinse the glass several times.
  6. Use a fresh microfiber cloth to gently dry the wine glass.
  7. Repeat until all the glasses are clean.

Cleaning Cloudy Wine Glasses with Vinegar

If you live in an area with hard water, chances are good that you’ve encountered cloudy wine glasses before. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to clean stemware spotted with mineral deposits using little more than vinegar and water.

You’ll need:
 
  • A large bowl or basin (tall enough to submerge a wine glass)
  • A microfiber towel
  • 3 cups warm water
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • A microfiber cloth
 
  1. Line the bottom of the basin with the towel.
  2. Fill the basin with the vinegar and water.
  3. Let the wine glass soak for five to 10 minutes.
  4. Using a light touch, wipe the glass dry with the microfiber cloth.
  5. Repeat until you have cleaned all the glasses.
 

How to Clean Stained Wine Glasses with Denture Cleaner

No, you didn’t read that wrong: You can use denture tablets to remove the stains from stemware.

You’ll need:
 
  • Denture-cleaning tablets
  • Water
  • A drinking glass
  • Microfiber cloths
 
  1. Let a denture tablet completely dissolve in a drinking glass filled with water.
  2. Transfer this solution to your stained wine glass.
  3. Let that sit overnight.
  4. The next day, pour the solution out of the wine glass and rinse it several times.
  5. Dry the glass using your microfiber cloth.
  6. If the glass still has stains, repeat the process again.

Now you’re an expert on keeping stemware clean, but do you know what to do if you spill that glass of merlot on the carpet or your clothes? These handy tips on tackling wine stains can come to the rescue.

And if life has you so busy you can’t remember when you last got to unwind with a nice tempranillo or chardonnay, it might be a good idea to call in the cleaning cavalry. Let the professionals of Merry Maids help you with your kitchen cleaning and housekeeping, so you get some much-needed downtime.
 

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