How to Clean Cloudy Glasses So They Sparkle Again—and Prevent Future Fogginess

Whether you're hosting a dinner party or reaching for a cup of water, fewer kitchen woes are more inconvenient and unattractive than cloudy glasses. Although you know the pieces are clean, they still somehow look dirty. "Cloudy glasses are a byproduct of hard water," says Ron Shimek, the president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company. Minerals like lime are trapped in the water, and the water sticks to glasses and dries. This gives that cloudy condition."

There is a way to remedy cloudy glasses and limit how often the unwanted haze returns. Learn from experts how to make cloudy glasses crystal clear again using a few simple cleaning supplies, including distilled white vinegar.

Materials Needed

Remedying cloudy glasses is a low-maintenance cleaning task—you only need a few easy-to-come-by materials.

• Distilled white vinegar
• Plastic scrubber or nylon net
• Lint-free towel
• Sink or large bowl

How to Clean Cloudy Glasses

Cloudiness in glassware is usually caused by two things: Calcium and magnesium left behind from hard water. Washing them by hand is the most effective way to keep them clean and spot-free, says Vera Peterson, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

1. Soak in Vinegar

Warm the white vinegar before using it so it is an effective cleaning agent. To start, fill your sink with hot water and let your bottle of distilled white vinegar soak for a minute. Next, drain the sink and refill it with the now-warm vinegar. Peterson says to use a bowl if you're just cleaning a couple of glasses. Once the sink is filled with vinegar, let the glasses soak in there for an hour.

2. Remove the Film

Take the glasses out of their vinegar bath and use either a nylon net or plastic scrubber to remove the cloudy film. Next, thoroughly rinse the glasses with hot water until crystal clear.

3. Dry the Glasses

Dry each glass with a flour sack towel or other lint-free option to make the drinkware look its best after cleaning, says Peterson. This ensures that stray fibers aren't left behind, which can make your glasses look dingy.

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How to Prevent the Cloudiness From Returning

Keep your glasses clear by preventing water droplets from drying on them in the first place, which is what commonly happens when using the dishwasher, says Peterson. "Hand washing and drying immediately will help keep your glasses from getting cloudy," she says.

Consider installing a water softener, says Peterson. "This is an expensive solution, but it will solve many other problems by reducing mineral buildup on your glasses and the insides of your pipes, faucets, dishwasher, showerheads, shower glass, and more," she says.

Cloudiness Could Be Permanent

If you've tried the process outlined above and your glasses are still cloudy after they dry, Peterson says the condition is likely permanent. "If you angle the glass toward the light, you'll probably see shades of pink, purple, brown, or blue," she says. "At that point, it's unlikely you can restore the glasses."