6 Ways to Clean Wine Glasses (2026 How-To)
Six ways to clean wine glasses, from the first rinse to dishwasher loading, spot-free drying and a vinegar test for cloudy film.
Cover photo: "[313/365] Clean" by Sander van der Wel, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
The easiest way to clean wine glasses is to rinse them soon after the last pour. Then wash them by hand in warm water with a little soap, and keep your grip on the bowl so the stem stays still. Dry each one with a soft microfiber cloth before the water has time to leave spots.
Six ways to clean wine glasses, side by side
| The moment | What to do | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 1. After the last pour | Rinse with clear water | Leftover wine keeps working on the glass |
| 2. Everyday hand wash | Warm water, a little soap, hold the bowl | Gentle on the glass and easy on the stem |
| 3. Stain in the bowl | A soft foam or microfiber brush | Your hand stays out of the bowl |
| 4. Dishwasher load | Top rack, space between glasses, low heat | Glasses stay clear of each other and of harsh heat |
| 5. Water spots | Dry right away with microfiber | Hard water leaves calcium and magnesium behind |
| 6. Cloudy film | Rub on a little white vinegar | Mild acid lifts film but not etching |
Each row is one stage of a wash, in the order you would meet it at the sink. Glasses marked hand wash only should skip the dishwasher row.
Washing by hand
1. Rinse right after the last pour
Riedel's glass care guide warns that leftover wine can attack the glass if it sits too long1. A quick rinse with clear water at the end of the night is enough. It saves you a harder scrub the next day, once a ring has dried.
2. Wash gently in warm water
Fill the sink with warm water and a little soap, then hold each glass by the bowl2. Keep the water short of very hot, since Riedel advises against boiling or excessively hot water for rinsing1. Libbey adds that sudden swings between hot and cold can stress glass and risk breakage2. Rinse the soap away well with clear water. An unscented soap is a safe choice, because perfume can linger into the next pour.
3. Reach stains with a soft brush
For a stain at the bottom of the bowl, Libbey suggests a soft foam or microfiber brush2. A brush keeps your hand out of the bowl and away from any twisting. Riedel warns that holding the foot and the bowl together while drying can snap the stem1.
Using the dishwasher
4. Load it on the top rack, with room to spare
Check the label first, because Riedel says hand wash only glasses are not meant for a machine1. If yours can go in, set them on the top rack with space between each one. Libbey says stemware should stay out of the bottom rack2. Riedel adds that glasses should not touch metal or other glass1.
Choose a low-temperature program of 50 to 55 °C (about 122 to 131 °F), or the glass program if your machine has one1. Measure the detergent by the directions and do not overdose1. When the cycle ends, open the door so steam can escape, because Riedel says steam can attack the glass surface1.
Spots and haze
5. Dry right away with microfiber
Water spots are the minerals a drop leaves behind when it dries. A University of Florida extension sheet explains that the calcium and magnesium in hard water dry in place on glassware3. Riedel dries its glasses with two large microfiber cloths and says to skip the tea towel1. Libbey says to pat the glass dry with microfiber, without twisting the towel in the bowl2.
If glasses air-dry, give them a rack that is not metal. Libbey names a non-metal rack, and Riedel says drying upside down on metal can damage the rim12.
The cloth we sell is microfiber and comes two to a pack, and its product page says it clears away lint and prints4. You can read more about this wine glass polishing cloth on our site. Our polishing guide covers the finishing touches. If spots are already there, try our fix for spots that have already set.
6. Lift cloudy film with white vinegar
Cloudy glass usually has one of two causes. Riedel says a film of limescale or detergent comes off with a mild acid, such as white vinegar or citric acid1. The Florida sheet has a simple test. Rub a drop of vinegar on the cloudy spot, and if it looks clear once dry, you had a film3.
If the haze stays, or the surface looks pitted, the glass is probably etched. Etching cannot be removed3. The sheet ties it to water that is very soft combined with heavy detergent use, so it advises using less and hand drying glassware you value3. The rest of the method lives in our post on cleaning cloudy glasses.
Keeping them clear between washes
Keep glasses away from strong smells in the cupboard. Riedel says glass can absorb odors, which can affect the aroma of the wine1. A tidy rinse, wash and dry routine keeps most haze from ever forming. Our wine glass care guide has the storage side of the routine.
Wine glass washing questions
Is regular dish soap fine for wine glasses?
Riedel's own hand-washing steps use washing liquid in warm water, followed by a thorough rinse with clear water to avoid residue1. A small amount of plain, unscented soap is a sensible choice. Rinsing well counts for more than the brand.
Does the water need to be hot?
No, warm water is enough. Riedel advises against excessively hot or boiling rinse water1. Libbey warns that big jumps in temperature can break glass2.
How can I tell if my glasses are dishwasher safe?
Look for the care label on the box or the product page. Riedel treats any glass marked hand wash only, or sold without care instructions, as hand wash only1.
Sources
- 1.RIEDEL, Glass care and use: how to clean your glasses. Checked 27 Oct 2026.
- 2.Libbey, Care and handling instructions. Checked 27 Oct 2026.
- 3.Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida, HELP! Our Glasses Are Cloudy! (Fact Sheet HE 3209, 1995, archival copy). Checked 27 Oct 2026.
- 4.Excalibur Brothers, Wine Glass Cloth (2 Pack). Checked 27 Oct 2026.