Quick tips to clean glass food containers
→ Wash glass containers with warm water and dish soap or with dishwasher powder.
→ Use white vinegar for cloudy mineral marks, and bi-carb soda for lingering smells.
→ For stubborn baked-on food, use a wet Redecker Copper Scourer on suitable uncoated glass.
For everyday cleaning: dish soap or dishwasher powder
Rinse glass containers soon after use, then wash with warm water and dish soap using a natural dish brush, loofah or sponge. Pay attention to corners, lid grooves and silicone seals where food can collect.
Most freezer safe glass containers are dishwasher safe – but check first to be sure. Use the recommended amount of Kin Kin Dishwasher Powder. Note that Kin Kin is concentrated so you need less than a supermarket powder.
Using more detergent than needed can actually leave residue rather than making glass cleaner.
For cloudy glass: white vinegar
A white film on glass is often caused by hard water minerals or detergent residue. Fill the container with equal parts white vinegar and warm water, leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, then brush, rinse and dry.
If the cloudiness does not improve, the glass may be permanently etched rather than dirty.
For lingering smells: bi-carb soda
Glass does not usually hold smells, but lids, seals and hard-to-reach areas can retain the aroma of coffee, smoothies, sauces or pickles.
- Add one tablespoon of bi-carb soda to the container.
- Fill with warm water and leave for several hours or overnight.
- Brush, rinse and allow every part to dry completely.
Wash lids and removable silicone seals separately, as these are often the real source of the smell.
Good to know: Bi-carb soda and vinegar create plenty of fizz when combined, but they also can neutralise one another. Use vinegar for mineral build-up and bi-carb soda separately for smells and gentle scrubbing.
For baked-on food: soak, then gently scrub
Allow glass bakeware to cool completely, then soak it in warm soapy water for at least 15 minutes.
For stubborn food on suitable uncoated glass, use a wet Redecker Copper Cleaner Scourer. Its fine woven copper fibres help lift stuck-on residue while cleaning and polishing the glass.
Always use it wet, test a small area first and avoid using copper scourers on printed, tinted, mirrored or specially coated glass.
For sticky labels: eucalyptus oil
To reuse a glass jar, first soak it in warm soapy water and peel away as much of the paper label as possible.
For remaining adhesive, add a small amount of eucalyptus oil to a reusable cloth and gently rub the sticky area. Once the residue has lifted, wash the jar thoroughly with warm water and dish soap so no oil remains.
Avoid using it on printed designs, painted lids or materials that may be affected by concentrated essential oils.
What to use for each glass-cleaning job
Everyday washing
Use an adjustable amount of dishwasher powder for regular loads of glass containers and kitchenware.
Narrow bottles
Reach the base, shoulders, lids and small openings with long bottle and detail brushes.
Baked-on food
Use a wet fine copper scourer for stubborn residue on suitable uncoated glass.
Everyday scrubbing
Choose long-lasting natural brushes, loofahs and reusable sponges instead of disposable plastic scrubbers.
Make your glassware easier to care for
Find scrubbing brushes, natural dishwashing products, reusable cleaning cloths and long-lasting scourers for everyday kitchen cleaning.
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean glass with bi-carb soda?
Yes. Bi-carb soda is useful for freshening glass containers and loosening some residue. Dissolve it in warm water and leave it to soak before brushing and rinsing.
Can you clean cloudy glass with vinegar?
Yes. White vinegar can help dissolve cloudy mineral deposits. Soak the glass in equal parts vinegar and warm water, then rinse thoroughly.
Can you use a copper scourer on glass?
A fine copper scourer can be used wet on suitable uncoated glass. Test a small area first and do not use it on printed, tinted, mirrored or coated surfaces.
How do you remove sticky labels from glass jars?
Soak the jar in warm soapy water and peel away the paper. Rub remaining adhesive with a small amount of eucalyptus oil on a cloth, then wash the jar thoroughly.
Why does my glass container still smell?
The smell may be trapped in the lid or silicone seal rather than the glass. Remove and wash these pieces separately, then allow them to dry fully before reassembling.
Related reads
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Complete guide to freezing food in glass
Learn how to freeze soup, leftovers and batch-cooked meals without cracking the glass.
How to clean a reusable water bottle
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