How to Clean Cloudy Glasses and Glassware

Have you ever had to serve your guests drinks in cloudy glasses because you didn’t know how to get rid of the cloudy film? You’ll be pleased to know that there are ways to clean your glassware so that it will be sparkling like new in next to no time!

Why Does Glass Turn Cloudy?

It’s a common problem in glassware that is put through the dishwasher, and is often due to hard water deposits. Hard water contains lots of minerals, which can sometimes stick to your glassware. Dishwasher detergent doesn’t foam very well in hard water, so the deposits are often left on and they build up gradually over time to form the dull, cloudy look.

Another reason your glasses can look cloudy is due to etching. This is where parts of the glass get worn down and take on little scratches due to regular usage and washing. This happens over time, and unfortunately there is no easy fix other than buying new glassware.

How to Clean Cloudy Glass

If your cloudy glasses aren’t caused by etching, then the good news is that they should clean up easily. You don’t need expensive, specialist products to do this; you’ve probably already got at least one of the items you need in your home.

Toothpaste

Good old toothpaste! It has to be plain old ordinary toothpaste, though, not the fancy whitening pastes or colored gels.

Spread some toothpaste on to your glassware inside and out, then take a clean toothbrush (or other small brush with stiff bristles) and start scrubbing. Toothpaste is a very mild abrasive, and it will gently remove the cloudy film without doing damage to the glass – you can even use this method for delicate crystal.

This method does require some effort from you, but try the method below to get your glassware clean without any elbow grease.

Vinegar

White vinegar is an indispensable household cleaning agent. It works wonders on dirty pots and pans, polishes tiles and cleans smeared windows. It also cleans up cloudy glassware, and this method is simple and easy.

Fill a bowl with white vinegar (not malt vinegar!) and dip your glasses into it for a few seconds. Remove them and you’ll have magically clean and sparkly glasses. The only downside to this method is the strong vinegar smell, but that will evaporate as the glass dries. To be sure it’s all gone, rinse the glasses under cold, running water.

Keeping Your Glassware Sparkling

Now that you’ve got your glassware back to its old shiny self, you’ll want to keep it that way. If you hand wash your dishes, add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar to the washing up bowl when you clean your glasses.

If you use a dishwasher, add some vinegar to the rinse compartment where you would normally put your rinse aid. These precautions won’t stop your glasses becoming cloudy again, but it will slow down the rate and amount of cloudiness that builds up over time.