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

How many times have you finished a dishwasher cycle only to notice the presence of cloudy glasses? It’s as if a white film has formed around the glass, annoying to remove and dulling its shine.

Why do glasses become cloudy in the dishwasher, and what can you do to fix it? Here are the most effective remedies to help your glassware maintain its natural brilliance.

Some evenings, the thought of scrubbing dirty dishes feels like a chore! So we often end up loading our beloved dishwasher with all kinds of plates and glasses.

The dishwasher is a wonderful convenience, but often, at the end of the wash cycle, we face an unpleasant surprise: our glasses no longer look the same — they’ve lost their shine and become cloudy! A real shame, especially when it comes to wine glasses, champagne flutes, or quality liqueur glasses.

Why Do Glasses Become Cloudy in the Dishwasher?

There are several factors that can cause dullness and loss of shine, and almost all of them are related to the type of wash and the condition of the water.

One of the main causes is water hardness, a factor that plays a key role as it leads to limescale buildup, which attacks the glass surface. Over time and multiple washes, it leaves behind a white opaque film.

The dullness caused by hard water triggers a process of surface corrosion on the glassware that cannot be reversed. However, it’s always possible to prevent it from getting worse and to preserve the brilliance 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 smartest thing to do is to regularly clean your dishwasher with a specific product, to be used two or three times a year. This helps remove fixed residues and buildup inside the appliance.

Can the Detergent You Use Make Glasses Cloudy?

The dullness of your glasses in the dishwasher may also depend on using too much detergent or washing at a temperature that’s too high.

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

However, we don’t recommend this: rinse aid doesn’t actually repair the damage — it merely covers it up by creating a new layer over the glass. Since these products are not natural and can even be toxic if ingested, it’s best to avoid having their residues stay on your plates and glasses, where they might mix with food or drinks. Moreover, rinse aids are chemical substances that can cause environmental harm once released into nature.

Grandma’s Remedies for Sparkling Glasses

If your glasses are already cloudy, try these natural remedies — the classic “grandma’s tricks.” Fill a large bowl with a solution of citric acid (or lemon juice if you don’t have any) dissolved in water. A good alternative is white wine vinegar.

With this method, your glasses and dishes should regain their natural shine. This is why our grandmothers never threw away old lemons — they reused them to wash plates, glasses, and dishes, even when handwashing.

Small Tips and Tricks to Improve the Wash

To avoid cloudy glasses in the dishwasher, we can simply adjust some of our washing habits.
As mentioned earlier, cloudiness can result from water that’s too hot. So, besides choosing the right temperature before starting the cycle, it’s also important to remember to open the dishwasher door once the wash is complete.

Indeed, the steam generated during washing might not vent properly. If trapped inside, it can damage the surface of glass and crystal over time.

One last piece of advice? Don’t overuse those popular 3-in-1 products, as they contain so many substances that they can be too harsh for everyday washing, eventually damaging glossy materials and finishes.

With a few simple precautions, your glasses can become clear and sparkling again. It’s always best to rely on natural and sustainable solutions that respect both your health and the environment.

By following these quick tips from our blog, your glasses will easily regain their natural brilliance!