A beautiful glass deserves care to match. Whether it’s to preserve the brilliance of the crystal or to keep wine residue from tainting the aromas of your next tasting, here is Riedel’s official guidance for cleaning, drying and storing your glasses and decanters.
Cleaning your glasses
In the dishwasher
Most Riedel glasses are dishwasher-safe (tested to EN 12875-1 and EN 12875-2), unless the product page says otherwise. To keep their brilliance:
- Avoid aggressive detergents; use a short cycle at low temperature (50-55 °C or a “glass” program).
- Leave enough space between glasses to prevent contact, ideally in the top basket with a glass holder.
- Avoid contact with metal utensils or the wash arms.
- Larger glasses sometimes wash better by hand or in the lower basket.
- Use quality tablets made for glassware, or white vinegar as an eco-friendly rinse aid.
- Never wash your glasses with aluminum kitchenware: the chemical reaction can cloud the glass.
By hand
Clean with warm water and a mild dish soap (never boiling water), rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue, then dry with two microfiber cloths, never an ordinary kitchen towel. Never hold the stem and the bowl at the same time while drying: the twisting motion can break the glass. Instead, dry the bowl by holding it at the base, then polish the stem and foot separately. Also avoid air-drying glasses upside down on a metal rack, which can damage the rim.
The best habit is to rinse your glasses immediately after use: red wine residue, being particularly acidic, can permanently dull crystal if left in contact too long.
Cleaning your carafes and decanters
Most Riedel decanters are hand-wash only (check the product page). After use:
- Rinse immediately with clear water.
- Fill with warm water and let sit overnight.
- The next day, empty it and fill with about half a liter of distilled water (or water with lemon juice or vinegar added), swirl, then rinse thoroughly.
- Air-dry, then polish the outside with a microfiber cloth.
Avoid dish soap (residue is hard to remove completely) and, for decanters with complex shapes (Ayam, Amadeo, Eve, Escargot, Curly, Boa, Black Tie, Mamba, Horse, Horn, Tyrol, WineWings, Swan, Face to Face), avoid cleaning pearls, which can get stuck in the shape.
Where to store your glasses
Store your glasses away from cabinets with strong odors (spices, cleaning products): glass can absorb these smells and alter the bouquet of your next wines.
This guide summarizes Riedel’s official recommendations. For the full version, including videos from Maximilian J. Riedel, visit Riedel’s official care guide.
