Why do glasses become cloudy?

The appearance of white halos and opacity on glasses after washing is a very common problem, due to factors such as:

• Limestone and minerals dissolved in water
• Detergent or rinse aid residues
• Grease or dirt not removed properly
• Micro scratches from frequent or aggressive washing

💡The good news? In most cases, it can be easily remedied with ingredients you already have at home.

Which remedy to use? Here is the right one for every problem

Not all halos are the same. Some are caused by limescale, others by grease residue or simply by opaque glass. For each type of problem, there is a specific solution . Here is a useful summary to help you choose the best method:

🧪 Problem	✅ Recommended method
Light halos	Method 1 - Steam Method 2 - Lemon Method 7 - Onion or Potato
Limescale and encrustations	Method 3 - Baking Soda Method 4 - Yeast Method 5 - Vinegar + Salt
Fat and greasy	Method 8 - Gin Method 9 - Acetone + Soap
Micro scratches and frosted glass	Method 10 - Toothpaste
Natural/green cleaning	Method 1 - Steam Method 2 - Lemon Method 3 - Baking Soda Method 6 - Sugar + Vinegar
Maintenance and prevention	Method 6 - Sugar + Vinegar

10 Effective Methods to Clean Cloudy Glasses

Fortunately, there are many natural and effective remedies to restore their shine without resorting to harsh chemicals. Here is a selection of simple and sustainable methods to make your glasses shine like new again.

Method 1 – Steam Cleaning

Steam is a simple and natural remedy to restore shine to cloudy glasses. Bring distilled water to the boil and wrap the glasses in the steam for a few minutes, then dry them with a soft cloth. It also works well as a preventative treatment!

Perfect for: Light streaks and dishwasher haze.

Method 2 – Lemon and Vinegar

A powerful mix of natural ingredients. Boil 5 parts water with 1 part vinegar (5:1), add lemon juice, soak the glasses for 15 minutes and dry. You will see that after drying, they will shine again.

Ideal against: halos, dullness and limescale.

Method 3 – Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great ally in household cleaning. Dissolve 5 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 liters of water, soak the glasses overnight and rinse in the morning.

Perfect for: cloudy glass and limescale residue.

Method 4 – Chemical Yeast

It may seem unusual, but baking powder has a good degreasing effect. Dissolve the yeast in warm water, immerse the glasses until the water cools, then rinse and dry.

Recommended for: stubborn limescale.

Method 5 – White Vinegar and Coarse Salt

Fill the glasses with white vinegar and a spoonful of salt, let it sit for 12 hours and rinse. Once rinsed, you will immediately notice the difference.

Effective on: limescale and grease deposits.

Method 6 – Sugar and Vinegar

Spray sugar water before washing or use vinegar in the dishwasher instead of rinse aid. This helps prevent streaks and cloudiness over time.

Ideal for: prevention and maintenance.

Method 7 – Onion or Potato

A grandmother's remedy that still works today! Rub the glasses with onion or potato, spray water + vinegar, wait 10 minutes and dry.

Effective for: light halos and cloudy glass.

Method 8 – Gin

Gin isn't just for cocktails! Pour gin on a cloth, wipe glasses, and dry as normal. It's a quick and effective way to remove grease.

Useful against: fat and grease.

Method 9 – Acetone and Soap

Wipe with acetone, soap, soak in hot water and vinegar for 15 minutes, then dry. Warning: use only in extreme cases and on resistant glass!

Perfect for: Severe cases of dirt or limescale.

Method 10 – Toothpaste

Apply toothpaste, polish with a toothbrush, rinse and dry: the glasses will be smooth and shiny again.

Ideal for: micro scratches and frosted glass.

Have you tried everything but the glasses remain cloudy?

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