How to get rid of haze in your glassware

The last thing you would expect when you pull out a clean glass from the dishwasher or cabinet is the cloudy film on the glass.

Urgh! You can’t help but wonder what went wrong.

So, allow me to help you understand what may have taken place.

One, you’re using hard water which is less effective in rinsing out soap and dirt compared to soft water.

Or two, the etching from soft water combined with alkaline dish detergents. This unfortunately can’t be fixed but can be prevented by using less soap with warm water.

That out of the way, here are some ways you can ensure your glasses never look cloudy after a wash or when you need to use them.

On a large bowl or empty sink, add equal parts of water and vinegar.

Place the cloudy glasses in the water-vinegar solution and leave them in for about 30 minutes.

Remove one glass after half an hour and rinse with water to confirm the cloudiness is gone. If it hasn’t, place it back in the solution and leave them for 30 more minutes.

One by one, rinse your glassware with warm water to check. If they still have some film put back and repeat the process until film is completely removed.

The last step is to dry the glass. Use a clean rag or cloth to wipe off all the water and any deposits of the hard water that may have remained.

You may need to get a solid or liquid cleaning aid that has dishwashing load. This will help break the bond between the water and dishes.

This way, the spotting and etching on the glasses will be greatly reduced making the cleaning process less stressful.

Some detergents may be the cause. This also depends on the water used to clean the glassware among other factors. At this point you may want to try one without phosphates, or consider going for a milder version.

And if you’re using soft water, you may want to go easy on the amount of soap you use. Adjust the amount with every wash until you get it right.

If the cloudiness is still there despite all you have done, you can consider using some baking soda to gently rub on the affected utensils. Rinse the glasses with warm water then use a lint-free or a micro-fiber cloth until dry.