How to Clean Hard Water Stains From Drinking Glasses

Make sure your drinking glasses are clear and clean.

Anyone with hard water knows how tough it can be to clean the hard water film that often builds up on drinking glasses. This can happen when the glasses sit in the dishwasher after a cleaning cycle with hard water. If the film won't come off after a manual scrubbing, try a simple tip to get those drinking glasses crystal clear once again.

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
• Pot
• Towel
• Steel wool

Instructions

1. Pour some white vinegar -- enough to cover the glasses -- into the pot on the stove.

2. Turn the stove on to a low setting and warm the vinegar. Don't heat it too much.

3. Set the glasses into the warm vinegar and let them sit for an hour. Occasionally turn them to make sure the vinegar is working on all the surfaces.

4. Remove the glasses from the vinegar and rinse under water. Dry them with a towel.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also try dipping some fine steel wool into the vinegar and scrubbing the glass.

• If the stains remain, your glasses might be permanently etched.

References

• Heloise: Vinegar Hints