How do you safely load wine glasses into the dishwasher?

Putting wine glasses in the dishwasher is possible, but not every glass is suitable for it and not every setting is safe. Crystal wine glasses should always be hand-washed. Ordinary glasses made of standard glass tolerate the dishwasher better, but even then, there are a few rules that prevent breakage, streaks, and dull glass. The difference lies in the temperature, the program, the placement, and the detergent.

Which wine glasses can go in the dishwasher?

Not every wine glass tolerates the dishwasher equally well. Crystal glasses are more sensitive to high temperatures and aggressive cleaning agents than ordinary glasses. High heat can dull crystal, damage the rim, or weaken the stem. Thin-walled glasses also run a greater risk of breakage due to the vibrations of the dishwasher program.

Always check the manufacturer's instructions. Some glasses are explicitly dishwasher-safe, others are not. If there are no instructions, hand-washing is always the safest choice. For the Amore wine glasses from Mémoire, made of high-quality lead-free crystal glass, hand-washing is recommended to preserve their quality and appearance for as long as possible.

Which program should you use?

Always use the delicate program or the glass wash program if your dishwasher has one. This program operates at lower temperatures and with less water pressure than a normal program. The ideal washing temperature for wine glasses is a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures affect the glass and increase the risk of breakage due to thermal shock, especially if the glass was cold before washing.

Avoid programs with a high final temperature for the drying phase. This drying heat is unnecessary for wine glasses and can actually worsen water streaks because the water evaporates quickly, leaving minerals behind on the glass.

How do you place wine glasses in the dishwasher?

Wine glasses belong in the upper rack of the dishwasher. The water pressure there is lower and the temperature is slightly less high than at the bottom. Place the glasses upside down so that water can drain from the bowl and no water remains in the glass. Ensure that the glasses are stable and cannot shift during the program.

The stem is the most fragile point. Make sure the stem is not clamped between the rack's tines, as this increases the chance of breakage if the rack vibrates. Also, leave space between the glasses: glasses that touch each other during the program can develop hairline cracks that you only notice later. A rule of thumb is at least two centimeters of space between each glass.

Which detergent should you use?

Use a mild detergent without chlorine or aggressive degreasing agents. Many standard dishwasher tablets contain strong cleaning agents that can eventually damage the surface of crystal glass. Special dishwasher detergents for glass and crystal are available that are gentler and less likely to cause dullness.

Always refill the rinse aid dispenser. Rinse aid helps water run off the glass more quickly, which reduces water streaks and limescale stains. Don't use too much: an overdose of rinse aid can actually leave a greasy film on the glass.

Preventing water streaks after the dishwasher

Water streaks after the dishwasher are almost always due to limescale deposits from the water or too high a drying temperature. Setting a water softener in the dishwasher to the correct hardness for your region helps. This is especially important in areas with hard water. Remove the glasses from the dishwasher before the drying phase begins and dry them immediately with a clean, lint-free glass cloth. This is the most effective way to prevent streaks.

If you do have streaks or limescale stains on your glasses, a splash of white vinegar in lukewarm water helps to remove them. Let the glass sit for a moment, rinse, and dry. More tips on cleaning wine glasses can be found in how to clean wine glasses.

How often can you put wine glasses in the dishwasher?

Even dishwasher-safe wine glasses will eventually become dull with frequent dishwasher use. The combination of heat, water, and cleaning agents slowly affects the glass surface. With daily use, you will notice this after a few months. With weekly use, it takes much longer for the difference to be visible. If you alternate between dishwasher and hand-washing, you will keep your glasses in good condition for longer.

Dishwasher versus hand-washing: what is better?

Hand-washing is always the safest method for wine glasses. The risk of breakage is lower, the temperature is easier to control, and you have more influence over how thoroughly the glass is cleaned. The dishwasher is a convenient alternative for everyday glasses made of ordinary glass, but for crystal glasses or glasses you want to keep beautiful for a long time, hand-washing is the better choice. You can read how to do that best in how to wash wine glasses.

Drying wine glasses after the dishwasher

After washing, remove the glasses from the dishwasher and dry them immediately with a clean glass cloth. Do not let them dry in the dishwasher, as the steam released during drying will settle on the glass and leave limescale stains. Only put the dry glasses away when they are completely at room temperature, as condensation from a warm glass in a cool cabinet can also cause stains on the inside.

View Mémoire's collection of wine glasses for glasses designed for daily use and easy maintenance.