Wine glasses are particularly prone to water spots because their thin walls show every mineral deposit from tap water, and the stem and bowl are difficult to dry without handling the glass excessively. The professional approach requires minimal soap, distilled water or vinegar rinse, and a specific polishing technique.
Hand Washing
- Use only a small amount of dish soap — excess soap leaves residue that dulls the glass and affects wine aroma
- Wash in warm (not hot) water — hot water can crack crystal
- Use a soft bottle brush for the interior; your hand with a cloth for the exterior
- Rinse with clean water
- Final rinse: add a splash of white vinegar to a basin of cool water and do a final rinse — this neutralizes any soap residue and prevents spots from minerals in tap water
Polishing Spot-Free
The professional steam-polish method used by sommeliers and restaurants:
- Boil water in a kettle
- Hold the glass by the stem and rotate the bowl over the steam for 10–15 seconds — the condensation inside loosens any residue
- Immediately polish the bowl interior with a clean, lint-free microfibre or polishing cloth — work in a circular motion inside and out
- Hold the glass to the light to check for spots and repeat if needed
Drying
- Never let wine glasses air dry upright — water pools at the base of the bowl and evaporates leaving a ring of mineral deposits
- Either polish immediately after washing, or dry upside down on a drying rack and then polish
- A dedicated glass polishing cloth (thinner and more lint-free than a standard kitchen towel) makes a noticeable difference
Dishwasher
Fine crystal should not go in the dishwasher — the high temperature and harsh detergents permanently etch and cloud crystal over time. Standard glassware can go on the top rack in the dishwasher, but expect more water spots than hand-polishing — a final polish after the cycle addresses this.