How to Clean Stained, Milky Crystal Drinking Glasses

Line the bottom of your sink with a rubber mat because crystal is delicate and can break if it falls or clanks against the surface of your sink. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning to prevent your fingerprints from getting on the crystal glasses.

Fill your sink halfway with warm water, and add 2 tablespoons of a mild dish detergent. Use distilled bottle water if you have hard water because hard water contains minerals that can leave deposits on crystal glasses, causing more milky stains. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the sink since the acidity in vinegar helps break down hard water spots.

Hand-wash one crystal drinking glass at a time with a soft, nonabrasive sponge or towel. Rinse the glass with warm water. Dry crystal glasses with a lint-free towel to prevent spotting, which occurs when air-drying.

Spray a nonabrasive lime or rust cleaner on the interior and exterior of the crystal glasses if the milky stains remain. Allow the glasses to absorb the cleaner overnight. Lime and rust cleaners can break down residue that derives from hard water. Clean and rinse the glasses with soapy distilled water, and then dry them with a lint-free towel.