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Written by Grove Collaborative

Cloudy wine glasses? Here's how to clean them correctly.

Last Updated: December 23, 2021


Here are our hassle-free tips for how to clean wine glasses so they’re sparkling and party-ready.

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It’s the big night. You’re preparing for a lovely dinner party and looking forward to your guests' arrival, but when you pull the nice wine glasses out of the cabinet, they’re spotted and cloudy from the last time they were used.


Cleaning wine spills is tricky enough, but what about cleaning the glasses themselves? Here are our hassle-free tips for how to clean wine glasses so they’re sparkling and party-ready.

What are the best ways to clean wine glasses?

Can wine glasses be cleaned with soap?


Wine glasses can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand, depending on how sturdy they are. Delicate glasses should always be hand washed to prevent breaking.


A gentle dish soap or dish detergent is ideal for cleaning all types of wine glasses.


What you’ll need to clean wine glasses


If you’re cleaning glasses by hand, you’ll need the following:

Shop for the supplies you'll need from Grove.

Step-by-step guide to make wine glasses sparkle


Step one: Wash


Place sturdy glasses in the dishwasher.


If hand washing, fill each glass a quarter of the way with warm water and a small amount of dish soap. Let soak for 5-10 minutes to loosen wine stains, then dump.


Use a damp dish cloth to gently wipe the rim of the glass. Rinse thoroughly and place upside down on a drying mat or dish rack to dry the wine glasses.


Step two: Polish


Hold the glass by the bottom of the bowl and push a microfiber polishing cloth into the center.


Use a gentle twisting motion inside of the glass to polish away any spots or residue.


Watch this video to see how to do this technique gently so you don’t break the cup:




Step three: Buff

Use the same microfiber cloth to buff the top and underside of the base of the glass in small, circular motions.


Lastly, rub the cloth up and down the length of the glass stem. Don’t use twisting motions while holding the stem of the glass, as this can break delicate glasses.

How to clean cloudy or foggy wine glasses

Over time, dust and grease particles can make wine glasses look dull, foggy, or cloudy.


Luckily, it’s easy to make them clear again.


Supplies you’ll need to clean cloudy glasses



Step-by-step guide: How to clean cloudy wine glasses with vinegar


  1. Soak wine glasses in warm vinegar for one hour.
  2. Use scrub brush to scrub residue on the inside and outside of the glass.
  3. Thoroughly rinse with warm water.
  4. Dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

For tough stains, try cleaning wine glasses with baking soda and vinegar. Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar in the bowl of the glass. Let sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse and dry as usual.

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