Skip the scrubbing: 3 hacks for cleaning a flower vase ahead of Valentine’s Day

How To
By published

Get the sparkle back

Glass vase of red roses
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I have a collection of glass vases, but over time they’ve lost their sparkle and look lackluster. Instead of being elegant vessels for displaying cut flowers, they look cloudy and dirty, even after a thorough rinse.

With Valentine’s Day approaching — I’m being hopeful — I thought it was time to get out my mucky vases and give them a wash. But rather than scrubbing, I wanted to find the quickest ways to clean my glass vases to get them sparkling again.

I’ve discovered there is more than one way to clean a glass vase — and each method is super fast and achievable with pantry staples.

1. Baking soda and distilled vinegar

How to clean a glass vase with baking soda and distilled vinegar

(Image credit: Future)

I picked this simple method to clean one of my glass flower vases, and it was quick and easy. All it takes is two staples that are always in our cleaning cupboard at Tom’s Guide, and you probably already have them at home, too.

What you need
Distilled vinegar
Baking soda

Image 1 of 1
Clean glass vase
(Image credit: Future)

The method

1. Fill your vase with warm water to cover the marks.

2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda.

3. Gradually pour in the distilled vinegar to create a fizz, but be careful not to let it spill over.

4. Let the solution sit for about 10 minutes.

5. Gently scrub with a brush to remove any remaining residue, and then empty the contents.

6. Thoroughly rinse the vase with warm water.

7. Dry and polish the vase with a microfiber cloth.

2. Denture tablet

Denture tablets with glass vase

(Image credit: Future)

If you have more time, you could try the vase-cleaning denture hack. What's more, you don’t need dentures to have denture tablets in your house. I regularly drop one into my toilet bowl to remove limescale buildup from hard water.

Denture tablets are an easy way to restore the shine to your glass vases, as long as you choose effervescent tablets. You could try Efferdent Denture Cleaner Tablets (44-pack) for $7 on Amazon.

What you need
Effervescent denture tablets

The method

1. Fill your vase with water.

2. Add 1 or 2 denture tablets, depending on the vase’s size.

3. Leave the solution to work overnight.

4. Give the solution a stir before pouring it out and rinsing the vase.

5. Dry and polish the vase with a microfiber cloth.

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3. Rice, vinegar and dishsoap

Rice in glass jar

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It might seem slightly more unconventional than the above methods, but the combination of rice and dishwashing liquid can also work. However, for a heads up, the rice should remain uncooked. How does it work? The surface of the grains of rice works as a scourer to remove any dirt and grime.

What you need
Dish soap
Uncooked rice
Vinegar

The method

1. Half fill your vase with warm and add a few drops of dish soap.

2. Add two tablespoons of vinegar.

3. Add half a cup of uncooked rice.

4. Place a cover over the top of the vase, and gently move the vessel for 2-3, allowing the rice to lift the stains.

5. Leave the vase overnight.

6. In the morning, repeat step 4 and empty the vase before rinsing it out.

7. Dry and polish the vase with a microfiber cloth.

How to keep your flower water clean

Florist cutting flower stems

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Apart from giving your vase a good clean, it’s also worth making sure the water in is clear and isn’t left to turn murky. Remove any leaves that sit below the water line and replace the water every 2-3 days.

At the same time, give the flower stems a small trim with a sharp pair of the best pruning shears. An inch or two should be enough, and this will help to avoid bacterial growth and encourage water uptake.

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Camilla Sharman
Camilla Sharman
Staff Writer, Homes

Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides. 


Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.


Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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