VinoLoverHaving trouble cleaning and maintaining your decanters and can’t get rid of those pesky stains? Want to learn how to clean a decanter at home?
Maybe you had an evening out last night and went to bed without rinsing it. Or you’ve just learned how to decant wine and you’re not sure what the best cleaning method is.
Here are the best tricks you can use to clean your wine decanter properly
Cleaning a wine decanter
Knowing how to clean a decanter is crucial to its use. The longer you go without cleaning it, the more likely you are to get wine stains that are difficult to remove.
Here are some tips to help you restore that decanter to its former glory.
- Rinse it as soon as possible. When cleaning a decanter, the most important thing to do is to rinse out the wine residue as soon as possible. Red wine stains can become more fixed the longer they remain on the decanter.
- White vinegar is a good choice. Cleaning decanters with vinegar is an excellent idea. Simply fill the decanter with vinegar and hot water and let it stand for 10 minutes. Boiling water is not recommended, as it may be too hot for the delicate glass. After draining and rinsing, the wine should come out easily.
- Use a pinch of salt. Shake the decanter with some crushed ice and a few pinches of salt. Don’t overdo the shaking, but don’t over-stir. As the gritty salt removes stains, this combination works like a scrubbing brush.
- Soap should not be used. Soap is the last thing you want to touch in your decanter. Soap residue and streaks detract from the taste and appearance of your decanted wine.
The best decanter cleaning equipment
Using the best equipment to clean your decanter is essential for excellent results. These things will help you clean in less time and ensure that your glass is bright and clear.
Brushes and beads are the two most important tools. Decanter cleaning brushes are made of flexible foam. This allows them to easily clean the wide base of a decanter, so we advise against using a stiff brush. Decanter cleaning beads are small stainless steel balls that are spun in the decanter to release stains.
Cleaning tablets and a decanter drying rackare also recommended . The tablets help to remove stains that are too difficult to remove with normal cleaning
How to dry the decanter
Finally, your decanter is clean as a whistle! How can you prevent water stains from spoiling the appearance of your decanter for the next time you use it?
Dry the outside of your decanter with clean, lint-free towels, such as flour sack or microfibre towels, while it is still warm after washing. Plush kitchen towels and hand towels are better than cheap paper towels (which have less softness and therefore less lint) if you don’t have these types of towels.
Decanter drying racks, at least for flat-bottomed decanters, are the most effective for drying the interior
The drying rack ensures that the decanter is completely dry and spotless. For these fragile things, a conventional wine stain remover will not suffice.
Before placing the decanter on one of these, check that the stand can support the weight of the decanter. Lead crystal is a heavy substance. If you don’t have one, be careful not to roll the decanter by turning it upside down. If you can’t turn it completely upside down, you will have to turn it several times over several days to get all the water out
How to store the wine decanter
Before storing the decanter, make sure it is completely dry.
The decanter should be stored in a place with good air circulation. Cabinets are notorious for accumulating odours (another reason to “season”, or pre-clean, your decanter with wine before use). If you have a decanter lid or stopper, be sure to use it to keep dust out of the decanter.
Now that you know how to clean a wine decanter, what are you waiting for to clean it properly today?
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
