Cloudy Glasses in the Dishwasher: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

How many times has it happened that after running a dishwasher cycle, you notice cloudy glasses in the dishwasher? It’s as if a white film forms around the glass, making it dull and hard to remove.

Why do glasses become cloudy in the dishwasher, and what can you do to fix it? Here are the most effective remedies to prevent your glassware from losing its shine.

Some evenings, it just feels exhausting to scrub all those dirty dishes in the sink! So we inevitably end up filling our beloved dishwasher with plates and glasses of all kinds.

The dishwasher is a great convenience, but often, at the end of the wash, we’re faced with an unpleasant surprise: the glass of our cups is no longer the same—it’s dull and has lost its sparkle! A real shame, especially when it comes to wine glasses, flutes, or fine liqueur glasses.

Why Do Glasses Become Cloudy in the Dishwasher?

The factors that can cause dullness and loss of shine are numerous, and almost all derive from the type of wash and the water conditions.

One of the main causes is water hardness, a factor that greatly affects this issue because it leads to the formation of limescale that attacks the glass surface and, wash after wash, leaves behind a white opaque film.

The dullness caused by hard water triggers a corrosion process on the dish surface that cannot be reversed. However, it’s always possible to prevent the problem from worsening and preserve the shine of your glasses as soon as you notice the first signs of cloudiness.

How to Prevent Cloudy Glasses

In this case, the best remedy is prevention. The best thing to do is to regularly take care of your dishwasher with a specific cleaning product, to be used two or three times a year, which helps remove fixed residues from inside the appliance.

Is Your Detergent Making Your Glasses Cloudy?

The cloudiness of glasses in the dishwasher may also depend on using too much detergent or washing at a too high temperature.

In this case, be careful: to restore shine to your glassware, you might be tempted to use a specific product called rinse aid.

We don’t recommend this solution: rinse aid doesn’t repair the damage but rather covers it up by creating a new layer over the glass. Since these products are not natural and can be highly toxic if ingested, it’s best to avoid having such substances remain on dishes and glasses, as they could end up in food and drinks. Moreover, rinse aids are not eco-friendly as they contain chemical substances that can harm the environment.

Grandma’s Remedies for Shiny Glasses

If your glasses are already cloudy, try these natural remedies: in other words, the timeless “grandma’s tricks”. Get a large bowl and soak your glasses in a solution of citric acid (if you don’t have it, use lemon juice) dissolved in water. A good alternative is white wine vinegar.

With this remedy, your glasses and tableware should regain their natural brilliance. This is why our grandmothers never threw away old lemons—they reused them to wash dishes, glasses, and tableware, even by hand.

Small Tips and Tricks to Improve Washing

To avoid cloudy glasses in the dishwasher, you can adjust your washing habits.
As we mentioned, cloudiness can be caused by excessive water temperature. So, besides selecting the right settings before starting a wash, it’s also important to open the dishwasher door once the cycle is complete.

Indeed, the steam generated during washing may not properly vent outside, and if trapped inside, it can end up damaging the surface of glass and crystal.

One last tip? Don’t overuse those famous 3-in-1 products, as they contain so many substances that can be too aggressive for everyday washing needs, eventually damaging shiny materials and surfaces.

With a few simple precautions, your glasses can become clear and sparkling again. It’s always better to choose natural and sustainable solutions that are safe for both your health and the environment.

By following these short tips and suggestions from our blog, your glasses will easily regain their natural shine!