How to Clean Wine Glasses Perfectly Every Time

You can clean wine glasses, including stemware and stemless wine glasses or tumblers, using soapy water and a sponge. Follow these steps for this simple wine glass cleaning method:

1. 1. Hold the wine glass by the bowl. Place a small amount of warm water in the bottom of the glass and swirl it around to remove the wine stain.
2. 2. Clean with a sponge. Take a sponge covered in dish soap and run it inside and outside the wine glass. (You can use a cleaning brush instead of a sponge.) Use as little soap as possible to get the glass clean, then rinse the wine glass clean with hot water.
3. 3. Spot clean with white vinegar. To remove a dark stain, such as lipstick, you can use white vinegar or grappa to sanitize without leaving an odor.
4. 4. Dry the wine glass. After washing your wine glasses, dry wine glasses immediately to prevent water spots and keep your glasses looking clear and shiny. Use a clean microfiber cloth.
5. 5. Polish your wine glass. Use a microfiber cloth as a polishing cloth to ensure your glasses are shiny with no streaks. Microfiber towels are also lint-free towels; unlike dish towels or tea towels, they will not leave any lint on your wine glasses.

Many wine glasses are dishwasher safe, but check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure, especially if the wine glasses have decorations or lettering. If you do put your wine glasses in the dishwasher, keep the following dishwashing tips in mind:

• Use the stemware rack. Place the wine glasses on the top rack, also known as the stemware rack, ensuring they’re not touching any other metal or glass to prevent scratching. Placing them on the bottom shelf can lead to breakage.
• Set a normal wash cycle. After loading the dishwasher detergent, run the dishwasher on a normal wash cycle.
• Skip the dry cycle. Do not turn on heat dry; the high temperatures can lead to cloudy wine glasses. Instead, let your wine glasses air dry.

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