Cleaning those dainty champagne flutes shouldn’t be a total buzzkill. Yes, dishwashers are handy and take out the hassle of washing the glassware by hand. However, you’re compromising the delicate structure of your flutes in the long run.
The best way of cleaning champagne flutes is by hand, using hot water.
But, experts also suggest that using soap isn’t a good idea. In this post, we’ll show you the proper way to wash your champagne flutes, how to store them, and why dish detergents are a no-no.
How Do You Clean Flute Glasses?
You can clean champagne glasses in two ways: hand washing and dishwasher.
However, according to Comité Champagne, cleaning champagne glasses by hand with hot water is the best way to preserve your glasses. Champagne flutes are delicate, and often made out of crystal. This makes them more fragile than a Borosilicate glass construction.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to keep your flutes sparkling clean:
- With a water temperature of at least 104°F, hand wash the champagne glasses. Avoid sponges if you can as this can leave residue or bacteria on the glasses. Instead, use a clean cloth dedicated to your flutes to avoid cross-contamination.
- Now, place the glasses upside-down on a clean towel and let them drip for a few minutes.
- Wipe the glasses dry with a lint-free towel.
Tip: Don’t let the glasses dry up or air dry. When you polish or dry the flutes, use lint-free cloth such as microfiber or flour sack cloth. Don’t use a tea towel that you’ve washed with fabric conditioner. Wipe them dry right away to prevent water spots on the glasses.
If You Must Run Them in the Dishwasher
Tucking your flutes in the dishwasher can be so convenient. It takes away the hassle of washing them by hand after the party.
However, we don’t really recommend this method because champagne flutes are fragile. Plus, most dishwashers don’t have a dedicated rack for bulky glasses and it may not get rid of most of the soapy residue.
That said, there are dishwasher-safe glasses available, so check with the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. But hand washing is still the best way to clean your champagne glass.
If you prefer to run them in your machine, make sure to load glasses alone or at least ensure that glasses don’t touch one another or touch any other dishes. And as soon as the cycle is over, retrieve the glasses. Don’t let them go through a heated dry cycle because any remaining residue will get baked on the glasses.
A Word About Dish Detergent
While washing your champagne flutes with a little soap may not seem like a big deal, the more frequently you do, the fewer bubbles you get from your champagne and sparkling wine. Even experts suggest that hot water will do the trick. Dish detergent can linger on the glasses, preventing bubble formation during serving.
It depends on your preference, though. If you feel better at washing champagne glasses with soap, make sure to use a gentle dish detergent. And, always rinse with warm water to get rid of any soapy residue. You can also refer to the manufacturer’s care guidelines.
Proper Storage for Champagne Flutes
How you store your flutes is important to keep champagne tasting a sensory experience. When your glasses are not cleaned and restored properly, believe it or not, you won’t get as much carbonation and it’s hard to appreciate the bubbly and other sparkling wine when the glass has a soapy taste.
After drying, keep your flutes in a clean and dry area. If you have a dedicated cupboard for your glasses, even better. Make sure it’s airy.
Place a clean, lint-free cloth under the rim if you want to place them in an upside-down position. We recommend that you stash them upright, though, to avoid trapping the smell of wooden furniture from on the interior bowl of your glasses.
How Do You Clean Old Champagne Glasses?
With repeated use, over time, your champagne glass may lose its spark. To clean old champagne glasses, it’s important to check for any damages. Use mild dish soap and a soft sponge to clean the surface of the glasses. Then, rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap residue.
You may opt to run them in the dishwasher. But remember that flute champagne glasses are delicate, so if you can, always wash them by hand to avoid damaging them further.
How Do You Remove Cloudiness From Vintage Glassware?
Getting your vintage glasses’ spark back is a straightforward process. You can try soaking cloudy glasses in distilled white vinegar and water overnight. Vinegar works as a natural agent to lift or loosen calcium deposits in glasses. It is one of the best ways to get rid of cloudiness without damaging them.
After soaking the glasses in the mixture overnight, you should be able to easily rub the surfaces clean with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and buildup.
If the cloudiness doesn’t go away, it’s damaged beyond repair. It may be time to get new glassware.
How Do You Remove Dried Champagne Stains?
Stained wine glasses can be quite an eyesore. And removing the stubborn stains can be trickier with narrow flutes since the stains tend to settle at the bottom of the bowl. The job also gets tougher because you don’t want to scratch their delicate structure in the process. It usually demands a more laborious approach.
Here’s how you can remove dried and old stains from your champagne glasses:
- The first step is to soak the glasses in warm vinegar for about an hour or leave them overnight.
- Then, using a bottle cleaner, scrub away the stain and run the glasses in hot water.
- Dry the glasses using a microfiber cloth.
Wine and lipstick stains can get stubborn, though, particularly those that have been lingering on the glasses for a long time. To target hard-to-remove stains, you can use a very mild liquid detergent and a soft cleaning sponge, or:
- Fill the stained champagne glass with white vinegar and add a spoonful of baking soda. This trick works in loosening any remaining stains in the glass.
- Rinse with hot water.
- Dry with a microfiber cloth.
Final Words
Keeping your champagne flutes in tip-top shape is easy, but consider their delicate construction. If you can avoid using soap and the dishwasher, do so—you’ll thank yourself later. Plus, there are alternative cleaning solutions available in your pantry.
Lastly, don’t forget to wipe them dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
We hope you’ve found this post helpful. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out and we’d be happy to help. Cheers!
