How to Wash a Glass Bowl

Glass bowls made for daily use are probably tempered for safety.

A glass bowl can be plain, such as a mixing bowl, or utilitarian, which is highly decorative, such as antique carnival glass or glass that is designed to resemble finely cut crystal. Modern glass bowls are likely made of tempered glass, which is glass that has been heat-treated to resist breaking and endure extreme temperatures. Tempered glass bowls are dishwasher safe, but older or special bowls should be handled delicately and washed one at a time.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Dish cloth
• Drainer
• Dish towel

Instructions

1. Fill your clean sink with the hottest water you can tolerate. Add a squeeze of liquid dish soap into the stream of running water.

2. Submerge the glass bowl gently into the water. Allow the item to soak for 5 to 10 minutes if there is food matter stuck to the bowl.

3. Wipe the inside and outside of the bowl with a dishcloth or sponge until it is clean.

4. Rinse the bowl in running, hot water.

5. Prop the bowl securely on a dish drainer to air dry. Allow it to drain for approximately 10 minutes. Wipe the bowl with a clean, lint-free dish towel to remove any water spots.

Tips & Warnings

• Protect an antique or fragile bowl by placing a folded bath towel in the bottom of your sink to provide a padded surface to rest the bowl on while you wash it.

• Add 1 tbsp. of chlorine bleach to your sink full of soapy water if you need to sanitize you bowl. Let the bowl soak in the bleach water for 5 to 10 minutes before washing.

• Check your glass bowl thoroughly for cracks or chips before washing. A cracked bowl may break when it is submerged in hot or cold water.

References

• Oregon State University: Stop Germs Kitchen Clean-Up
• Environmental Protection Agency: Stone, Clay. Glass and Concrete Products Industry