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Glass Care & Use

Premium crystal glass deserves the right care. With just a few simple steps, you can preserve the brilliance, clarity, and long-lasting performance of your SPIEGELAU glassware – whether at home or in professional hospitality.

  • Dishwasher safe
    Tested according to EN 12875.
  • At least 1,000 dishwasher cycles
    Tested for lasting durability when used and cared for correctly.
  • Lasting brilliance & clarity
    Proper care helps maintain the exceptional clarity of your glassware.
  • Designed for home & professional use
    Developed for everyday use in both private and hospitality settings.

How to Clean Your Glassware

Most SPIEGELAU glassware is dishwasher safe. Its dishwasher resistance has been tested in accordance with EN 12875-1:2005 and EN 12875-2:2001.

To achieve the best cleaning results and help protect your glassware, always follow the care instructions provided with your product and load glasses securely to prevent contact with other items during the wash cycle.

When Handwashing Is Required

SPIEGELAU glassware labeled or packaged as "Hand Wash Only" or "Not Dishwasher Safe", as well as products without any care instructions on the packaging, should always be washed by hand.

Cleaning in the Dishwasher

With the right care, your SPIEGELAU glasses will retain their brilliance and clarity for years to come. Follow these recommendations for the best dishwashing results.

  • Choose a mild detergent and a short, low-temperature dishwashing cycle.
  • Load glasses with enough space between them to prevent contact with other glasses or tableware.
  • Whenever possible, place glasses in the top rack and use the glass holder if your dishwasher is equipped with one. This helps keep each glass secure throughout the wash cycle.
  • Ensure that glasses do not touch metal utensils, mugs, or other items, and that they do not interfere with the spray arms.
  • If a glass is too tall for the top rack, it may be placed in the bottom rack only if your dishwasher offers a dedicated glass program. Otherwise, it should be washed by hand.

For Best Results

  • Use a stemware rack whenever available to keep glasses secure during the wash cycle.
  • Use soft water with a low mineral content to help prevent stains and cloudiness.
  • Avoid contact between glasses and metal utensils to reduce the risk of scratches.
  • Choose a high-quality dishwasher detergent formulated for glassware. For brilliant results, white vinegar can also be used as an environmentally friendly rinse aid.

Loading Your Dishwasher Correctly

Correct dishwasher settings help preserve the brilliance and longevity of your SPIEGELAU glassware. For the best results, consider the following recommendations:

  • Rinse aid:
    Ensure that rinse aid is correctly dosed and always sufficiently filled for optimal drying and shine.
  • Water softening:
    Extremely soft water can be aggressive to glass. Adjust your dishwasher's water softening system to match your household water hardness, ideally around 3–4 °dH (German hardness).
  • Temperature and cycle:
    Select a low-temperature cycle (50–55 °C) or, if available, a dedicated glass program.
  • Steam:
    Once the cycle has finished, briefly open the dishwasher door to allow moisture to escape. This helps reduce the risk of glass clouding.
  • Food residues and fruit juices:
    Heavy food residues and fruit acids can affect the rinse water and the washing process. Pre-rinse heavily soiled items by hand before placing them in the dishwasher.
  • Avoid aluminum items:
    Do not wash glassware together with aluminum household utensils, such as garlic presses or cookware with aluminum handles.
  • Non-dishwasher-safe materials:
    Avoid washing materials such as aluminum or stoneware that are not dishwasher safe. Chemical reactions may accelerate clouding of the glass surface.

Cleaning by Hand

For glasses that are not dishwasher safe, careful hand washing helps preserve their brilliance and longevity.

  • Warm water and mild detergent:
    Wash each glass carefully using warm water and a mild detergent, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • Removing stains:
    To remove superficial stains, soak your glasses in white vinegar before rinsing.
  • Rinse thoroughly:
    Always rinse glasses well to remove any remaining detergent residue.

Drying & Polishing

Proper drying and polishing help maintain the brilliance of your glassware while reducing the risk of damage.

  • Use two polishing cloths:
    Use one cloth to hold the glass securely beneath the bowl and a second cloth to polish the bowl inside and out.
  • Never twist the stem:
    Never hold the bowl and the base at the same time while polishing, as twisting or pressure may cause the stem to break.
  • Polish the base separately:
    Once the bowl is polished, hold the glass by its base and carefully polish the foot.
  • Avoid metal drying racks:
    Do not dry glasses upside down on metal racks, as the rim may become chipped.
  • Choose microfiber:
    Use a microfiber polishing cloth rather than a tea towel to achieve a lint-free finish while protecting the glass surface.
  • Recommended accessory:
    A SPIEGELAU Microfiber Polishing Cloth delivers outstanding drying and polishing results when properly maintained.

Caring for Polishing Cloths & Glassware

Proper care of your polishing cloths and correct storage help preserve the brilliance and performance of your glassware.

  • Wash at high temperature:
    Wash microfiber polishing cloths at a high temperature using an odorless detergent to help remove bacteria.
  • Avoid fabric softener:
    Do not use fabric softener, as it may leave a greasy film on the glass surface.
  • Do not tumble dry:
    Microfiber polishing cloths should not be dried in a tumble dryer.
  • Store with care:
    Avoid storing glasses near strongly scented items, as odors may transfer to the glass and affect the aroma of the wine.

Understanding Cloudiness

Cloudiness after dishwashing can have different causes. Understanding the difference helps determine whether the glass can be restored or whether the surface has been permanently affected.

  • Surface deposits:
    Cloudiness caused by limescale or detergent residues can usually be removed using a mild acid such as white vinegar or citric acid.
  • Glass corrosion:
    Permanent cloudiness is not a deposit but a change to the glass surface itself. Over time, repeated washing may gradually release glass components from the surface. This type of cloudiness cannot be removed with household cleaning products.

Crystal glass is valued for its exceptional brilliance and transparency. These same qualities also make even the smallest surface changes visible. Even microscopic damage—far thinner than one millimetre—can reduce clarity and create a cloudy appearance. While every glass naturally changes over time, proper care and correct dishwasher settings can significantly reduce the risk of permanent cloudiness.

How to Prevent Glass Cloudiness

Following a few simple care recommendations helps preserve the brilliance and clarity of your glassware for years to come.

  • Rinse promptly:
    Rinse glasses soon after use to prevent beverage residues from drying onto the surface.
  • Take extra care with red wine:
    Red wine contains acids that may affect the glass surface if residues remain in the glass for an extended period.
  • Follow the recommended care instructions:
    Correct dishwasher settings, suitable detergents, rinse aid, and proper drying all help minimise the risk of permanent cloudiness.

How to Clean Your Decanter

Most SPIEGELAU decanters should be washed by hand unless different care instructions are provided on the respective product page.

Cleaning Your Decanter

For the best results, fill the decanter with warm water immediately after use and leave it to soak overnight. The following day, empty the water and rinse the decanter with approximately 500 ml of distilled water. Swirl the water thoroughly before pouring it out.

For more stubborn residues, distilled water can be combined with a small amount of citric acid or white vinegar while swirling the decanter.

Avoid using dishwashing liquid or detergent, as residues can be difficult to remove completely.

Drying & Handling

Allow the decanter to air dry before polishing the exterior with a microfiber polishing cloth.

  • Handle with care:
    Avoid knocking the spout against the tap, as this may cause chips.
  • Use a larger sink if needed:
    If the decanter is too tall for your kitchen sink, a laundry or bath tap may provide more space.

Removing Stains & Preventing Cloudiness

Always rinse your decanter immediately after use to prevent wine residues from drying onto the glass. Red wine is particularly acidic and may affect the glass surface if left inside for extended periods.

If stains remain, suitable cleaning tablets or cleaning beads can help restore the brilliance of your decanter.

To use cleaning beads, fill the decanter with warm water, carefully add the beads through a funnel, and swirl them gently for around two minutes. Afterwards, pour the beads into a fine mesh strainer, rinse, dry, and store them for future use.