Delicate and demanding – how to keep your glasses safe in the dishwasher
Glasses are the divas of the dishwasher world. You would think they should be easy to clean, but they are the source of so many issues, you sometimes wonder if it's even worth the hassle. We explain why the dishwasher really is the best place to clean your glasses, how to avoid corrosion and limescale spots by using some basic additives and we share some specific dishwasher loading tips that will help you avoid broken glasses.
How to prevent your glasses from breaking in the dishwasher
We all know the feeling of being torn between washing a beautiful, delicate wine glass by hand (because we worry about it breaking) and putting it in the dishwasher (because we know it will emerge sparkling and cleaner than it ever could be after a hand wash). A well-maintained dishwasher and the correct detergent will yield better result, that's out of the question, but what can we do to minimise the risk of glasses breaking in the wash? Here are some tips and smart hacks:
1. Contrary to popular opinion, agitation isn't the primary reason glass breaks in the dishwasher. Glasses aren't thrown around, but merely sprayed with water, which shouldn't damage them if the dishwasher is loaded correctly. High temperature, however, can be a culprit. Wash delicate glasses on a dedicated cycle or, if your machine doesn't have one, on a low-temperature setting.
2. Always load delicate glass on the top shelf of your dishwasher. The temperature is lower and the water spray is less intense here. If you have to place larger glass vases or carafes on the bottom shelf, make sure they are securely placed and use a low-temperature cycle.
3. If your dishwasher has specific slots for wine glass stems, use them. They may be on the edge of the little fold-out shelf on either side of the top basket, where you usually put large utensils.
4. If your wine glasses are too tall to be placed upright, it may be worth adjusting the height of your top basket. We usually only think of moving the basket up to fit large dinner plates on the bottom rack, but you can also move it down to accommodate large wine glasses.
5. Some dishwashers come with a dedicated wine glass rack, other manufacturers offer them as an extra that can be purchased separately. You can also buy unbranded dishwasher accessories specifically designed to keep wine glasses safe in the dishwasher. They come in the shape of inserts, similar to the cutlery basket, or silicone stabilisers that attach to the dishwasher's prongs and the stem of a wine glass.
How to prevent limescale water stains on glasses
Limescale stains on glass are a telltale sign of hard water. Read our article on dealing with hard water and limescale to find out more. Using multifunction tabs like Somat 7, Somat 10, Somat Gold 12 Multi-Active and Somat Power Gel with integrated water softener will protect your glasses against the white residue and water spots associated with limescale. However, if your water is harder than 21° dH (degrees of German Hardness) or if you are using a detergent without salt like Somat Classic, you will need to add Somat salt to your dishwasher. Somat Rinser will ensure your glasses emerge extra-sparkling. Once you do this, limescale issues will be a thing of the past.