Cleaning and caring for glassware

Imagine that you enjoyed some lovely red wine with friends last night, drinking from 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 washing-up liquid. This will help remove the grease left by 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 and will stop your wine from beading. 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 using a special microfibre cloth or a linen cloth. Tip: hold the glasses over some light steam first. This will leave them streak-free and wonderfully 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 is caused by high temperatures and powerful cleaning agents during washing. Tiny cracks develop on the glass surface. Although the glasses don't break, they appear 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 applies to all Villeroy & Boch high-quality crystal glasses, from the water glasses to our white or red wine glasses, champagne glasses and beer glasses.

You can avoid deposits on glasses by letting the glasses soak in water overnight or by rinsing them immediately under lukewarm water. A soft microfibre cloth and a mild dish detergent are recommended for cleaning. Be sure to rinse with clear water afterwards to prevent a grey veil from forming.

Do your glasses still not look clean even after washing them in the dishwasher? This could perhaps be due to the dishwasher itself. The drain might be blocked. If so, the dirty water can’t drain away so will circulate repeatedly around the glasses. Dirt particles are then be baked onto the glasses as they dry. Check the dishwasher drain and top up the salt and rinse aid if necessary.

Limescale deposits are unsightly and unhygienic. An immersion bath is a good way to gently remove limescale from delicate and high-quality glasses. Prepare a small tub of warm water for your 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 – from the Rose Garden collection, for example – and the flowers have left unsightly deposits. 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.

If you decide to clean your glasses in the dishwasher, there is a handy trick that can help 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 really make your glasses and the rest of your crockery sparkle. Baking soda also has a disinfectant and odour-absorbing effect.