Wine glasses are essential for any social event, whether you're simply having a couple of friends round for dinner or are throwing an extravagant party. Like all glasses, however, they can soon show signs of age if you don't look after them properly. Scratched, chipped glasses aren't suitable to hand out to guests, and replacing glasses can be costly if you want to match your existing set. Even if your glasses are intact, you might find it hard to get them looking as good as new and ready to serve drinks in if they're covered in a thick layer of dust when you get them out to use.

If you want to keep your wine glass collection looking its very best, read on for some tips

Avoid the dishwasher

While dishwashers are great for dealing with baked on food or greasy pans, they're not the best way to keep your wine glasses sparkling. Dishwashers can scratch glasses, and leave them looking dull and unappealing. If you are a guest at someone's house and notice your glass appears cloudy, it's likely the fault of the dishwasher. For the best results, always wash your glasses by hand using non-abrasive detergent and a soft cloth. If you are in a pinch and simply must use the dishwasher due to lack of time or unexpected guests, use the most delicate cycle possible and ensure you leave as much space as you can between the glasses. Avoid washing glasses alongside dirty, heavily soiled crockery and cookware, too.

Store your glasses properly

If you leave your glasses on an out-of-the-way shelf high up in the kitchen until you next need them, you'll no doubt find them covered in an unpleasant film of grease and dust next time you get them down. This can be time-consuming to remove, so make your life easier by storing them properly. Many glasses are supplied in a handy carry box so keep your glasses in this if possible and put the whole box safely in a cupboard. The box will protect your glasses from any knocks, while storing them in a cupboard means they won't be coated by the grease and steam of your kitchen. They'll also remain relatively dust-free.

Use white vinegar

White vinegar has a huge range of applications all over the house, and cleaning glass is one of them. You can add a few tablespoons of vinegar to a bowl of warm water and leave your glasses to soak if they are very greasy or dirty, then give them a gentle scrub with a nylon scouring sponge after an hour. If they're not too dirty, simply add a few drops of vinegar to your dish cloth and wash them as you normally would.

By storing and cleaning your glasses properly, you'll keep them looking good as new for longer. You'll also remove the hassle of having to thoroughly clean them every time you throw a party or have guests over.