Club Benefits
When it comes to our daily chores, having one of the best dishwashers has been a game-changer in my home. And while certain items, like wooden cutting boards, delicate ceramic, or cast-iron pans, must always be hand-washed, there's one common item you should definitely clean in the dishwasher.
In fact, hand-washing is not just less effective at getting these items sparkling clean, but it also carries the risk of damaging them. So, what's the popular item we're probably washing all wrong?
Don’t hand-wash wine glasses!
According to Maximilian Riedel, CEO and president of glassware manufacturer Riedel (speaking to The Spruce), dishwashers are superior (and safer) at cleaning wine glasses than our human hand-washing capabilities.
When placed securely in the dishwasher and set to the right wash cycle, this will offer a more consistent pressure, without the risk of accidental damage.
In addition, this cuts out the risk of human error. I can’t tell you the number of times a soapy glass has slipped from my hand and crashed against the side of my ceramic sink.
Not to mention the scratches that my cleaning tools have made to my favorite wine glasses over the years. In fact, experts agree that handwashing is more likely to cause long-term damage to glasses.
Dishwashers can give sparkling results
Another bonus is that dishwashers are designed to tackle stubborn stains and marks on glass, so they will ensure a more hygienic clean. They also use specific detergents and steady wash cycles that really get down into the wine glass bowls for a deep clean. More importantly (for me), dishwashers save valuable time and effort, giving you one less chore to do.
Of course, bear in mind that there are certain things you should never put in a dishwasher, otherwise you could end up damaging the item, as well as the appliance. This includes delicate crystal glassware, as the high temperatures and pressure from the cycle can chip and crack glass. Plus, if you have hard water, this can cause the glass to be cloudy, ruining it in more ways than one. Here's how to clean cloudy glasses if you do have this issue.
Top tips for washing glasses in your dishwasher safely
To get the best clean and avoid any damage, make sure you load glassware into the dishwasher the right way — just like you would with everything else.
Ideally, fine glassware should always be washed in the upper rack because of its fragility. Tall glasses and tumblers should be placed along the sides, upside down, and not touching, so the water can flow through.
In addition, always make sure there is adequate space between glasses, as you don't want them to knock against each other or other items.
Plus, most dishwashers nowadays come with wine glass stem holders, which can fold down from the sides of the upper rack. These holders allow you to either lean your wine glasses against them or, depending on the design, slot them securely into position. This method prevents them from tipping over and keeps them secure throughout the wash cycle.
Finally, select a delicate cycle on your dishwasher or an equivalent option with low- or no-heat dry to minimize damage. So the next time you want to make your wine glasses sparkle, let your dishwasher do all the work.
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