Caring For your RIEDEL Glassware

Tips For Dishwashing & Handwashing & Polishing

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You have made the investment into greater wine enjoyment, now do not let care and cleaning stop you from getting pleasure out of your glassware every day! Our simple instructions provide advice on how to wash, dry, polish, and store your crystal products to ensure a long life!

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Our top tips

Glasses should always be washed carefully.

Most RIEDEL glasses are dishwasher safe and when properly loaded, can withstand at least 1,000 dishwashing cycles with no demonstrable change to their color, shine or clarity.

RIEDEL glasses labelled with or packed in packaging labelled "handwash only", "not-dishwasher safe", or not indicating any care/cleaning instructions on the box, indicate that they are not dishwasher safe and require handwashing.

Using a Dishwasher:

  • Glassware is best cared for by avoiding harsh detergents and choosing a low-temperature, short dishwashing cycle.
  • When loading your glasses into your dishwasher, make sure they are well-spaced out, so they are not touching one another or anything else.
  • If available, use a stemware rack in your dishwasher, as it provides support and stops your glassware from moving around.
  • To avoid stains or cloudiness, use soft water (low mineral content).
  • To avoid scratches, avoid glass contact with other glass or metal.

Handwashing:

  • If washing by hand, wash the glass carefully under warm water (use detergent and rinse the glass carefully).
  • To remove superficial stains, soak your glasses in white vinegar.
  • To avoid detergent residue, rinse glasses thoroughly in clean water.

Hand Drying & Polishing:

  • To dry and polish the glass, use two drying cloths.
  • When drying or polishing, never hold both the base and the bowl at the same time, as any twisting or pressure can cause the stem to snap.
  • When drying or polishing the bowl of the glass, never hold the glass by its stem or by its base, as the stem could snap due to mishandlingand can break at its narrowest point. 
  • Firstly, hold the glass with one drying cloth under the bowl of the glass and with the second drying cloth in the other hand carefully polish the bowl inside and out. Then, hold the glass by the base and carefully polish the base.
  • Avoid drying your glasses upside down on a metal rack, as this may chip the rims.
  • Avoid using a tea towel to dry or polish, as this may potentially damage your glass, instead use a microfiber polishing cloth.
  • We recommend using a RIEDEL Microfiber Polishing Cloth, which will easily dry and polish without leaving behind any lint when properly washed (see below).
  • Wash drying cloths at boiling temperature (to kill bacteria) with odorless soap.
  • Do not use fabric softener when washing your drying cloths (to avoid grease film on the glass surface).
  • Avoid storing glasses in kitchen cabinets next to items with a strong odor, as this can taint the glass and have an effect on the wine‘s aroma.

What does "dishwasher safe" mean?

Most RIEDEL glasses are dishwasher safe and when properly loaded, can withstand at least 1,000 dishwashing cycles with no demonstrable change to their color, shine or clarity. RIEDEL glasses labelled with or packed in packaging labelled "handwash only", "not-dishwasher safe", or not indicating any care/cleaning instructions on the box, indicate that they are not dishwasher safe and require handwashing.

How to wash your glasses?

Most RIEDEL glasses are dishwasher safe and when properly loaded, can withstand at least 1,000 dishwashing cycles with no demonstrable change to their color, shine or clarity. RIEDEL glasses labelled with or packed in packaging labelled "handwash only", "not-dishwasher safe", or not indicating any care/cleaning instructions on the box, indicate that they are not dishwasher safe and require handwashing.

Using a Dishwasher:

  • Glassware is best cared for by avoiding harsh detergents and choosing a low-temperature, short dishwashing cycle.
  • When loading your glasses into your dishwasher, make sure they are well-spaced out, so they are not touching one another or anything else.
  • If possible, load your glasses in the top rack and make use of the glass holder if your dishwasher has one. Such holder is meant to keep your glasses secure so they do not move during the wash. When loading, ensure that your glasses are not touching anything else such as metal utensils or mugs, and are stacked appropriately so they do not interfere with other racks or the spray arms.
  • Some RIEDEL glasses may be too tall to fit in the top rack. In case your dishwasher has a special glass washing cycle, glasses can be carefully loaded in the bottom rack following the above instructions. If not, they will need to be handwashed.
  • If available, use a stemware rack in your dishwasher, as it provides support and stops your glassware from moving around.
  • To avoid stains or cloudiness, use soft water (low mineral content).
  • To avoid scratches, avoid glass contact with other glass or metal.
  • Use a good quality dishwasher tablet specially recommended for glassware, and white vinegar as an environmental alternative as a rinse aid for an optimum shine.

Hand Washing & Hand Drying/Polishing:

  • If washing by hand, wash the glass carefully under warm water (use detergent and rinse the glass carefully).
  • To remove superficial stains, soak your glasses in white vinegar.
  • To avoid detergent residue, rinse glasses thoroughly in clean water. 
  • To dry and polish the glass, use two drying cloths.
  • When drying or polishing, never hold both the base and the bowl at the same time, as any twisting or pressure can cause the stem to snap.
  • When drying or polishing the bowl of the glass, never hold the glass by its stem or by its base, as the stem could snap due to mishandling and can break at its narrowest point. . 
  • Firstly, hold the glass with one drying cloth under the bowl of the glass and with the second drying cloth in the other hand carefully polish the bowl inside and out. Then, hold the glass by the base and carefully polish the base.
  • Avoid drying your glasses upside down on a metal rack, as this may chip the rims.
  • Avoid using a tea towel to dry or polish, as this may potentially damage your glass, instead use a microfiber cloth.
  • We recommend using a RIEDEL Microfiber Polishing Cloth, which will easily dry and polish without leaving behind any lint when properly washed (see below).
  • Wash drying cloths at boiling temperature (to kill bacteria) with odorless soap.
  • Do not use fabric softener when washing your drying cloths (to avoid grease film on the glass surface).
  • Avoid storing glasses in kitchen cabinets next to items with a strong odor, as this can taint the glass and have an effect on the wine‘s aroma.
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Hand Drying & Polishing

  • To dry and polish the glass, use two drying cloth.
  • When drying or polishing, never hold both the base and the bowl at the same time, as any twisting or pressure can cause the stem to snap.
  • When drying or polishing the bowl of the glass, never hold the glass by its stem or by its base, as the stem could snap due to mishandling and can break at its narrowest point. 
  • Firstly, hold the glass with one drying cloth under the bowl of the glass and with the second drying cloth in the other hand carefully polish the bowl inside and out. Then, hold the glass by the base and carefully polish the base.
  • Avoid drying your glasses upside down on a metal rack, as this may chip the rims.
  • Avoid using a tea towel to dry or polish, as this may potentially damage your glass, instead use a microfiber cloth.
  • We recommend using a RIEDEL Microfiber Polishing Cloth, which will easily dry and polish without leaving behind any lint when properly washed (see below).
  • Wash drying cloth at boiling temperature (to kill bacteria) with odorless soap.
  • Do not use fabric softener when washing your drying cloths (to avoid grease film on the glass surface).
  • Avoid storing glasses in kitchen cabinets next to items with a strong odor, as this can taint the glass and have an effect on the wine‘s aroma.
  • For extra shine, carefully steam the bowl of the glass over boiling water before polishing.
  • Admire the perfect result!

Washing your RIEDEL Microfiber Polishing Cloth:

  • Wash at boiling temperature (to kill bacteria) with odorless soap.
  • Should be machine washed at min. 170° F/75° C.
  • Avoid using fabric softener when washing your microfiber polishing cloth as this can cause a greasy film to transfer onto the surface of your glasses.
  • Attention microfiber polishing cloths must not be put in the dryer.

Storage

  • Store your glasses in a closed cupboard, away from your stove and oven, to avoid picking up cooking smells, or gathering dust or grime between uses.
  • Store them standing on their bases to ensure that you do not chip the rims as they go in and out of the cupboard.
  • Avoid storing your glasses in their packaging/boxes, as they will take on a musty, cardboard smell that will interfere with your wine’s aroma.
  • Avoid storing your glassware in a temperature or humidity-controlled room or cellar as these conditions can affect the brilliance and clarity of the glass.