To determine if the cloudiness on glass is permanent from etching or can be cleaned away, use one of these tests:
Apply a drop of distilled white vinegar to the cloudy glass and rub a small area with a microfiber cloth. If the area is clear when the glass is dry, you will be able to clean away the cloudiness. If it is still cloudy, the glass is permanently etched.
Use a sharp edge to gently scrape the cloudy area of the glass. If some particles come loose and some of the cloudiness scrapes away, it is a film that can be cleaned from the glass. If the glass surface feels pitted and remains cloudy after scraping, the glass is permanently etched and will never be clear.
White microfiber cloth rubbing against the cloudy glass with distilled white vinegar
Soak in Distilled White Vinegar
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Place the cloudy glasses in a sink or large dishpan. Add enough distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar to cover the glasses. If you don’t have enough vinegar to completely cover the glasses, you can rotate them during the soaking process. Soak the glassware on all sides in the vinegar for at least 15 minutes.
If you are cleaning a cloudy glass window or object that cannot be soaked, pour undiluted distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz the glass. Let the vinegar remain on the surface for 15 minutes before wiping it away and cleaning the glass surface as usual.
Handwash the Glasses
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Drain the vinegar away and handwash the glasses with dishwashing soap and very warm water.
Cloudy glass being hand-washed with water and soap
Rinse and Dry
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Rinse each glass with warm or cool water and immediately dry the glass with a lint-free microfiber cloth. Do not allow the glasses to air dry or water spots may form and start the cloudiness cycle all over again.
Tips to Keep Glass From Becoming Cloudy
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Always wash glasses by hand and dry them immediately.
Add a water softening system to your home.
Pre-rinse glasses used for milk or dairy products before placing them in a dishwasher.
Use the proper amount of dishwasher detergent for hard water areas by following the guidelines of your appliance’s manufacturer.
If using the dishwasher, add a rinsing agent to the cycle.
Check the water temperature in your dishwasher. If the water is too hot, it can cook the proteins and cause a cloudy film. If the temperature of the water is too low, it can leave a greasy residue on glassware that also looks cloudy.
Clean your dishwasher frequently to prevent mineral build-up that can deposit on glassware.
