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Glass Care & Use

Premium crystal glass deserves the right care. With just a few simple recommendations, you can preserve the brilliance, clarity, and lasting beauty of your NACHTMANN glassware for years to come. Whether used every day or for special occasions, proper care helps maintain its exceptional appearance and performance.

  • Dishwasher safe
    Tested according to EN 12875 where applicable.
  • Long-lasting brilliance
    Proper care helps preserve the exceptional clarity and sparkle of your crystal glass.
  • Designed for everyday use
    High-quality crystal glass developed for lasting beauty and reliable performance.
  • Easy to care for
    Simple care recommendations help keep your glassware looking its best.

How to Care for Your Crystal Glass

Most NACHTMANN glassware is dishwasher safe and, when cared for correctly, can withstand at least 1,000 dishwashing cycles while maintaining its brilliance and clarity.

Dishwasher safety has been tested in accordance with EN 12875-1:2005 and EN 12875-2:2001.

When Handwashing Is Required

NACHTMANN products labeled or packaged as "Hand Wash Only" or "Not Dishwasher Safe", as well as products without any care instructions on the packaging, are not dishwasher safe and should always be washed by hand.

Cleaning in the Dishwasher

With the right care, your NACHTMANN glassware will retain its brilliance and clarity for years to come. Follow these recommendations for the best dishwashing results.

  • Choose a mild detergent and a short, low-temperature dishwashing cycle.
  • Load glassware with enough space between individual pieces to prevent contact during the wash cycle.
  • Place each item securely in the dishwasher. If your dishwasher is equipped with glass supports or holders, use them to help keep delicate items stable throughout the wash cycle.
  • Ensure that glassware does not touch metal utensils, mugs, or other items, and that it does not interfere with the spray arms.
  • If an item does not fit securely in the dishwasher or cannot be positioned safely, it should be washed by hand.

For Best Results

  • Whenever available, use glass supports or dedicated glass programs to help keep delicate items secure during the wash cycle.
  • Use soft water with a low mineral content to help prevent stains and cloudiness.
  • Avoid contact between crystal glass and metal utensils to reduce the risk of scratches.
  • Choose a high-quality dishwasher detergent formulated for crystal glass. For brilliant results, white vinegar can also be used as an environmentally friendly rinse aid.

Setting Up Your Dishwasher Correctly

Correct dishwasher settings help preserve the brilliance and longevity of your NACHTMANN crystal glass. For the best results, consider the following recommendations:

  • Rinse aid:
    Ensure that rinse aid is correctly dosed and always sufficiently filled for optimal drying and shine.
  • Water softening:
    Extremely soft water can be aggressive to glass. Adjust your dishwasher's water softening system to match your household water hardness, ideally around 3–4 °dH (German hardness).
  • Temperature and cycle:
    Select a low-temperature cycle (50–55 °C) or, if available, a dedicated glass program.
  • Steam:
    Once the cycle has finished, briefly open the dishwasher door to allow moisture to escape. This helps reduce the risk of glass clouding.
  • Food residues and fruit juices:
    Heavy food residues and fruit acids can affect the rinse water and the washing process. Pre-rinse heavily soiled items by hand before placing them in the dishwasher.
  • Avoid aluminum items:
    Do not wash crystal glass together with aluminum household utensils, such as garlic presses or cookware with aluminum handles.
  • Non-dishwasher-safe materials:
    Avoid washing materials such as aluminum or stoneware that are not dishwasher safe. Chemical reactions may accelerate the clouding of crystal glass.

Hand Washing

When handwashing is required, wash your NACHTMANN crystal glass carefully using warm water and a mild detergent.

  • Warm water and mild detergent:
    Wash each item carefully using warm water and a mild detergent.
  • Removing stains:
    To remove superficial stains, soak the item in white vinegar before rinsing.
  • Rinse thoroughly:
    Rinse each item thoroughly with clean water to remove any detergent residue.

Drying & Polishing

Proper drying and polishing help preserve the brilliance of your NACHTMANN crystal glass while minimizing the risk of damage.

  • Use a microfiber polishing cloth:
    Dry and polish each item carefully using a clean microfiber polishing cloth for the best results.
  • Handle with care:
    Always support delicate crystal glass securely while drying or polishing. Avoid applying excessive pressure to fine edges, stems or decorative elements.
  • Polish gently:
    Polish all surfaces carefully without applying twisting force that could damage delicate parts.
  • Avoid metal drying racks:
    Do not dry crystal glass upside down on metal racks, as this may chip the rim or edges.
  • Use clean polishing cloths:
    Avoid tea towels, which may leave lint or cause fine scratches. A microfiber polishing cloth provides the best results.

Caring for Your Polishing Cloths & Crystal Glass

Proper care of your polishing cloths and suitable storage conditions help keep your NACHTMANN crystal glass looking its best.

  • Wash polishing cloths properly:
    Wash microfiber polishing cloths at a high temperature using fragrance-free detergent to remove bacteria and residues.
  • Avoid fabric softener:
    Do not use fabric softener, as it can leave a greasy film on the crystal glass surface.
  • Do not tumble dry:
    Microfiber polishing cloths should always be air dried.
  • Store crystal glass carefully:
    Store crystal glass in a clean, dry place away from dust and strong odors to help preserve its brilliance.

Understanding Cloudiness

Cloudiness on glassware after dishwashing can have two different causes. The most common is the build-up of limescale or detergent residues, which can usually be removed using mild acids such as citric acid or white vinegar.

In some cases, however, cloudiness is caused by changes to the glass surface rather than surface deposits. These changes occur when components of the glass are gradually released over time and cannot be removed with standard household cleaning products.

Glass is valued for its exceptional brilliance and clarity. At the same time, these qualities make even the smallest changes to the surface highly visible. Although all glass naturally undergoes a gradual ageing process, following the recommended care instructions can help minimize the risk of permanent clouding during machine dishwashing.

How to Prevent Cloudiness

Proper care after every use is the best way to preserve the brilliance of your NACHTMANN glassware.

  • Rinse promptly:
    Wash or rinse your glasses as soon as possible after use to prevent residues from drying onto the glass surface.
  • Remove wine residues:
    Red wine is particularly acidic and may affect the glass surface if left in the glass for extended periods.
  • Follow the recommended care instructions:
    Using the correct dishwasher settings and cleaning methods will help reduce the risk of permanent cloudiness.

How to Clean Your Crystal Glass Pieces

Large crystal glass pieces such as decanters, whisky decanters, carafes, pitchers, and vases require gentle care to preserve their brilliance. Cleaning methods may vary depending on the shape of the piece. Where available, always follow the care instructions provided on the respective product page.

Cleaning Your Crystal Glass Piece

For crystal glass pieces that cannot easily be cleaned by hand, fill the vessel with warm water immediately after use and leave it to soak overnight. The following day, empty the water and rinse it with approximately 500 ml of distilled water. Swirl the water thoroughly before pouring it out.

For more stubborn residues, distilled water can be combined with a small amount of citric acid or white vinegar while swirling the vessel.

Avoid using dishwashing liquid or detergent, as residues can be difficult to remove completely.

Drying & Handling

Allow the crystal glass piece to air dry before polishing the exterior with a microfiber polishing cloth.

  • Handle with care:
    Avoid knocking the rim or spout against the tap, as this may cause chips.
  • Use a larger sink if needed:
    If the piece is too large for your kitchen sink, a laundry or bath tap may provide more space.

Removing Stains & Preventing Cloudiness

Always rinse the vessel immediately after use to prevent residues from drying onto the glass surface. Wine, spirits, and other beverages may leave deposits if left inside for extended periods.

If stains remain, suitable cleaning tablets or cleaning beads can help restore the brilliance of your crystal glass.

To use cleaning beads, fill the vessel with warm water, carefully add the beads through a funnel, and swirl them gently for around two minutes. Afterwards, pour the beads into a fine mesh strainer, rinse, dry, and store them for future use.