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How to Remove a Milky Buildup on Glasses

Angela LaFollette

Hard water causes drinking glasses to have a cloudy and milky buildup. Calcium and magnesium minerals in the hard water cause the glasses to appear dirty. Washing the glasses with your preferred dish-washing detergent will not always remove the buildup. The heat in the dishwasher can actually make the cloudy appearance worse. Instead of discarding the glasses, remove the hard water with items in your home to restore their clear appearance.

Remove the buildup as soon as possible for best results.
  1. Pour 2 cups of white distilled vinegar into a microwave-safe container. Microwave the vinegar on high for two minutes.

  2. Pour the warm vinegar into a large rectangular plastic container. Place the glasses on their sides into the container. You may need to treat the glasses in batches.

  3. Soak the glasses for five minutes. Rotate the glasses until you treat all the sides.

  4. Rinse the glasses under cool running water. Dry them with a lint-free microfiber towel.

  5. Apply nail polish remover to a cotton ball if the hard water remains. Wipe the acetone on the glasses and then wash them with mild dish soap. Dry the glasses after you wash them.