Cleaning wine glasses in the dishwasher is convenient, but it requires some care. Be mindful of the risks and know when you should just use a cleaning cloth on your delicate glasses. And, let's bring this to the forefront: Please don't trust your dishwasher with your most delicate crystal stemware.

Do This:

  1. Use a mild detergent and rinse aid. Choose a mild, non-abrasive dishwasher detergent to avoid damaging the delicate glass. Rinse aid also helps reduce spots on glassware (you'll only have to add it to your dishwasher once a month).
  2. Secure glasses properly. "Since wine glasses are a more delicate item, they should be reserved for the top rack of your dishwasher," recommends Morgan Eberhard, Senior Scientific Communications Manager at Cascade. "You’ll want to place the wine glass face down on the top rack to ensure the best clean and avoid collecting water. Try stacking them a finger-width apart so they don’t touch each other during the wash cycle—just like with your everyday glassware, this prevents contact that can leave spots."
  3. Adjust the height of the top rack. "Most [dishwasher] models have a clip on the side of the top rack that when released, lowers the rack by a few inches," adds Eberhard.
  4. Use a stemware holder. Consider using a glass holder or placing wine glasses on the top rack to minimize movement and reduce the risk of breakage.
  5. Rinse glasses beforehand. Rinse glasses under warm water to remove any residual wine or sediment before placing them in the dishwasher.
  6. Opt for a delicate cycle. If your dishwasher has a delicate wash cycle, use it to minimize the intensity of the washing process. Don't use the "storm wash" setting. Your stemware doesn't need to get blasted by a typhoon.
  7. Skip the hot water and high heat cycles. Avoid the "sanitization" cycle setting. The rapid temperature changes can stress the glass.
  8. Go with your gut. Don't trust the appliance with your most delicate, special occasion glasses. Ultra thin-rimmed crystal glassware is always best washed by hand. If your everyday wine glasses are heavier (not to mention, inexpensive to replace), you're probably safe if you follow the aforementioned precautions.
A wine glass in a dishwasher secured upright with an accessory.
Accessories in a dishwasher can help prevent glassware from tipping. Credit: Emily Fazio

Avoid This:

  1. Avoid harsh detergents. Avoid using harsh detergents or those with high levels of bleach, as they can damage the glass and affect the taste of the wine.
  2. Don't skip the rinse aid. It prevents water spots and enhances the drying process. This is especially important for maintaining the clarity of wine glasses.
  3. Avoid weak detergents. They simply won't clean your glasses as well, especially if you're mixing cocktails with Angostura bitters. Giving a plug to the product she supports, Eberhard touts Cascade Platinum Plus, a detergent with "2x the amount of a new proprietary enzyme to better fight starches, like the sugar molecules in wine."
  4. Don't use the hottest water temperatures. Check the settings to ensure that the water temperature is not too high. Hot water can cause the glass to expand and contract rapidly, leading to breakage.
  5. Don't overcrowd. It can result in glasses clinking together during the wash cycle, leading to cracks, chips, and total destruction. Leave enough space between glasses so they don't touch one another.
  6. Avoid dishwashing fragile, antique, or tall wine glasses. Fragile or antique wine glasses should generally be hand-washed to prevent damage. These glasses may not be designed to withstand the rigors of a dishwasher.

Additional Tips

  • Hand wash delicate stemware. If you're unsure about using the dishwasher, handwashing with warm soapy water and liquid dish soap is always a good idea. Choose a soft sponge or cloth over abrasive scrubbers.
Washing a delicate wine glass with a microfiber cloth.
Wash delicate wine glasses by hand with a microfiber cloth. Credit: Emily Fazio
  • Clean tough stains with denture cleaner or white vinegar. Cloudy wine glasses? Dissolve a tablet of denture cleaner in your wine glass to remove stains from red wine or Angostura bitters. You can also soak a clean cloth with warm vinegar to target filmy wine stains on the inside of your glasses.
  • Polish and dry wine glasses with a microfiber cloth. After the dishwasher cycle is complete, use a soft, lint-free microfiber polishing cloth to polish the glasses and remove any water spots. This can also reduce the likelihood of having cloudy glassware.
  • Regularly check glasses. Monitor for signs of damage or wear, such as chips or cracks. Avoid putting any chipped glasses into the dishwasher.

Dishes in the dishwasher, seemingly clean.
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? Try These DIY Fixes
Here’s how to get your dishwasher back to doing what it does best—cleaning your dishes.
Read More