How to Renovate Your Glassware

What is Glass Renovation?

Renovation refers to a deep cleaning process for glassware. The main purpose is to remove any build-up that regular cleaning processes might not tackle, such as proteins, yeast, mineral deposits hard water stains. This build-up can make glassware look dull and can affect the taste and appearance of drinks.

To get good results, we recommend renovating glasses at least one a month. Busier sites may need to renovate more frequently depending on how quickly the glasses deteriorate after renovation. However, it's important not to over renovate as this can damage glasses leading to them needing to be replaced. As a general rule of thumb we advise against renovating more than twice a month. 

How to Tell if Glassware Needs Renovation

Method 1: The Water Break Test:

1. Fill a glass to the brim with water.

2. Empty it and immediately turn it upside down to dry.

3. If water runs off in a continuous sheet, the glass is clean. If droplets form, it’s time to renovate.

Method 2:

1. Take a clean white serviette/napkin and dampen it with water.

2. Wipe the inside of a supposedly clean glass with the serviette/napkin.

3. A brown residue on the serviette/napkin indicates that there is protein build up on the glass and renovation is required.

How to Renovate Glassware

Method 1: Machine Renovation

Machine renovation is a relatively straightforward process that involves replacing your normal glasswasher detergent with renovating detergent and washing your glasses until renovated. We recommend this option as it is a simple and efficient way to renovate, and have formulated our own product, Refresh, which is perfect for the job. 

1. Preparation of Detergent Line:

• Unscrew the cap from your existing detergent container and carefully remove the detergent line.

• Unscrew the cap from the renovation liquid container and fit it to your existing detergent container to prevent spillage.

• Inset the detergent line into the renovation liquid container, ensuring it is fully submerged, and tighten the cap.

2. Cleaning the Glasswasher:

• Ensure your glass washing machine is clean before starting the renovation process. This involves removing any debris and dirt from the filters and disconnecting the wash and rinse arms to check for any blockages.

• Any dirt and blockages will affect the performance of the machine meaning the renovation process will not be as effective.

3. Prepare the Glasswasher

• Turn on the machine and allow 30 minutes for it to fill and heat to full working temperature.

• Run 6 wash cycles back-to-back to prime the renovating detergent into the machine from the bottle.

4. Loading and Washing:

• Load your glasses into a basket in the usual manner.

• If your glasswasher has variable time cycles, select the longest cycle available.

• Slide your basket into the machine and start the wash cycle.

Note: You may notice a chlorine-like aroma during the cycle. Don’t worry, no chemicals will remain on the glasses if the glasswasher is functioning correctly.

5. Inspection and Additional Cycles:

• Once a cycle is complete, slide your basket of washed glasses onto the machine's door and inspect how water is sheeting off from the glasses.

• Look for any signs of condensation, raindrops of water remaining, or water channelling off in different directions. If observed, the renovation process is not complete.

• Repeat the washing and inspection process (steps 5 and 6) until water sheets off the glass completely. Please note, this can take up to six cycles per tray of glasses.

6. Return the Glasswasher to Normal:

• Once all your glasses have been successfully renovated and no further cycles are necessary, disconnect your detergent line from the renovation liquid container.

• Reconnect it to your normal glass washing detergent container.

• If any renovation liquid remains, securely screw on the closed cap and store the chemical safely for future use.

Method 2: Hand Renovation

PPE and Equipment Required

To ensure safety and effectiveness during the renovation process, the following PPE and equipment are required:

• Rubber Gloves: Protect hands from chemicals and hot water.

• Protective Eyewear: Guard eyes against splashes.

• Non-Abrasive Scourer/Sponge: For gently scrubbing the glasses.

• Two Sinks or Large Containers: One for the renovation solution, another for rinsing.

• Measuring Tools: A scoop for powder and a small wine glass for measuring liquid renovate.

Preparing the Renovation Solution

1. Prepare Two Sinks/Containers:

• Sink One: Fill with warm water. If you are using powder renovate, add one scoop for every 4 litres of water. For liquid renovate, use half a small wine glass per 4 litres of water. Mix thoroughly and you should create a slightly slimy solution.

• Sink Two: Fill with cold water. This will be used for rinsing the glasses after cleaning.

Cleaning Process

2. Soak the Glass:

• Place the glasses in Sink One without stacking them. Allow them to soak for approximately 5 minutes to loosen any residue.

3. Wash the Glasses:

• Using a brush, non-abrasive scourer or sponge, scrub both the inside and outside of the glass for at least 10 seconds while they remain in the solution.

Rinsing and Drying

4. Rinse the Glasses:

• One at a time, transfer each glass from Sink One to Sink Two. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove any residual renovation solution.

5. Dry the Glasses:

• Place the rinsed glasses into a glass basket to air dry. Do not stack the glasses otherwise they will not dry properly.

Final Cleaning

6. Final Wash:

• Once dry, run the glasses through your glasswasher for a final clean. This helps ensure any residual renovate solution is completely removed.

7. Storage for Use:

• After the final wash, let the glasses dry again. Once dry, they are ready to be stored for everyday use.

Glass renovation is an essential process that helps maintain glassware and ensure drinks are presented in best possible way to customers. While it can be a time-consuming process, it is worth the effort and will significantly improve the appearance and longevity of glassware. Regardless of which method you use, by  combining the instructions detailed in this article with routine daily cleaning, you will soon see improved results from your glasswasher and happier customers. 

If you have any questions about what we covered in this article, please contact us on 020 8993 6199 or email service@nelsonwash.co.uk