How to clean glassware

Let’s imagine you enjoyed some red wine with friends last night using your new Manufacture red wine glasses. These glasses are not dishwasher-safe and should be washed by hand. Now, you might be wondering when to clean your wine glasses. Since red wine can leave unsightly stains both on and inside the glasses, it's advisable to soak them the same evening. The next day, wash the glasses in lukewarm water with a bit of dish soap. This will help remove the grease from lips and fingers on the glass surfaces.

After cleaning, rinse your glasses again with lukewarm water to remove all traces of washing-up liquid. This is important to prevent streaks from forming on the surface of the glass which will stop your wine from sparkling. Leave the glasses to drain for a short while and then dry them carefully with a cloth to remove any remaining water stains.

To make your fine red wine glasses truly shine, you can give them an extra polish. Excellent results can be achieved with a special microfiber cloth or a linen cloth. Tip: Hold the glasses over light steam first. This will leave them streak-free and very shiny. To check for any fingerprints or fluff on the glass, hold the polished glass up to the light. If the glasses are completely clean, store them safely in their original box in the cupboard to protect them from dust and stains.

Glass corrosion results from high temperatures and strong cleaning agents during washing. Tiny cracks develop on the glass surface. Although the glasses don't break, they become cloudy in the affected areas due to an accumulation of small deposits. Glass corrosion cannot be reversed so it is important to take preventative measures. Use mild detergents to clean your glasses and wash them at a low temperature. This also applies to all Villeroy & Boch high-quality crystal glasses, from water glasses to white or red wine glasses, champagne glasses and beer glasses.

Deposits on glasses can be avoided by letting the glasses sit overnight with water or by rinsing them immediately with lukewarm water. For cleaning, a soft microfiber cloth and a mild dish detergent are recommended. Be sure to rinse with clear water afterward to prevent a grey veil from forming.

Do your glasses still not look clean even after washing in the dishwasher? This could perhaps be due to the actual dishwasher. The drain might be blocked. Any dirty water that can’t drain away will circulate repeatedly around the glasses. Dirt particles will then be baked onto the glasses as they dry. It is therefore important to check the dishwasher drain and top up the salt and rinse aid.

Limescale deposits are unsightly and unhygienic. A soaking bath is a good method to gently remove limescale from delicate and high-quality glasses. Prepare a small tub of warm water for your immersion bath. Dissolve one to two tablespoons of white vinegar in the water and then place the glasses upside down in it. Remove the glasses after around 30 minutes, rinse them and polish them dry.

Imagine you have purchased a high-quality glass vase from Villeroy & Boch, for instance from the Rose Garden collection, and it has unsightly deposits from flowers. No problem: A glass scrub is the solution. Fill the vase with water and add a tablespoon of citric acid, coarse salt and a tablespoon of crushed eggshells. Then swirl the vase in a circular motion to loosen the deposits. Wait for around 30 minutes and then rinse the vase with cold water. You can also use this method to clean water or beer glasses for water or beer.

If you decide to clean your glasses in the dishwasher, there is a little trick you can use to make them shine. Add baking soda, found in most households, to the detergent for each dishwasher cycle. A heaped teaspoon is all you need. This will make your glasses and the rest of your crockery literally sparkle. Baking soda also has a disinfectant and odour-absorbing effect.