Clean dirty decanters

[rens]

As you can see the decanter is very dirty from years of drinking wine. I've tried soap, bicarbonate soda, vinegar, you name it. The bottle brush doesn't touch it either. What do others do?

[Blesso]

For my riedel decanter I use riedels cleaning beads, these are essentially just small steel ball bearing which I use in conjunction with warm water/vinegar and simply slosh them around in the decanter until clean.
Work for me.

[TiggerK]

Warm water and Steradent. People friendly enough for teeth, def good enough for decanters. The power of bubbles! It really works. (credit to camw for the tip)

[rens]

I work in aged care, so we have stock piles of steradent. So will give it a go.

[sparky]

A couple of spoonfuls of dry rice, a slice of lemon, some water and a damn good shake.

100% edible, cheap & works every time:-) Plus it has the added bonus of working on the bingo wings!

[mjs]

I use the Riedel ball bearings, same as bless, eg see here

http://www.petersofkensington.com.au/Public/Riedel-Decanter-Cleaning-Pellets.aspx

I am sure there are other formulae, such as lemon juice etc

[dave vino]

Go out and buy a new one. Seriously you can get them for about $10-$20 nowadays. (Peters, Victorias Basement even Aldi)

I'm starting to use $7 1L Erlenmeyer Flasks you can get from any of the Laboratory suppliers.

Failing that, put me down as another Steradent user. Although none of mine have been that bad.

[ticklenow1]

Rens,

I use the Riedel balls like a couple of others. They don't get it spotless, but I reckon they would get rid of at least 3/4 of the stains on your decanter. I was told by a wine drinking friend not to put anything but wine (obviously!) or water in your decanter or wine glasses. Traces of other things stay behind and can taint the wine. My palate is no way near that good so I'm going to try the Steradent idea in conjunction with the balls and see how that goes. It is a prick of a job trying to get them clean. My wife hates anything being not spotless clean and rolls her eyes every time I get one of the decanters out

Cheers
Ian

[mjs]

Go out and buy a new one. Seriously you can get them for about $10-$20 nowadays. (Peters, Victorias Basement even Aldi)

I'm starting to use $7 1L Erlenmeyer Flasks you can get from any of the Laboratory suppliers.

Failing that, put me down as another Steradent user. Although none of mine have been that bad.

Yes, perhaps a new one is justified, that does seem to be some serious decanter abuse, residue left for how long .... ??

[Waiters Friend]

White vinegar, then a run through the dishwasher

[daver6]

Interesting topic. A few weeks ago I decided mine needed a bit of a clean (not quite as bad as the OPs).

I Googled for various methods and none got it totally clean. I tried, rice and water, vinegar and something (can't recall now), crushed ice and rock salt. Hot water, cold water, decanter brush etc.

End result was it was cleaner, but not perfect.

[dave vino]

Could it be that the glass has somehow become etched and has thousands of small divots in it now?

[TravisW]

I use HRH's technique of warm water with a dishwashing tablet swished around in it until it dissolves. Leave overnight and then rinse well. Spotless every time!

Cheers, Travis.

[sjw_11]

I'm starting to use $7 1L Erlenmeyer Flasks you can get from any of the Laboratory suppliers.

I like this idea and think they look very funky as well... very in the modern "industrial chic" mentality. I keep meaning to get some like this.

[Panda 9D]

The problem with the flasks (I use one) is that they don't create a whole lot of surface area. Better than nothing though.

[rens]

And the winner is. Steradent! One tablet and enough water to cover the effected area then let it stand over night and it worked a treat.

[jimv]

I was desperate one time and put a hand full of fine sand into the decanter with warm water, swirled it around. Worked fine.

[crusty2]

A couple of spoonfuls of dry rice, a slice of lemon, some water and a damn good shake.

substitute the water for Gin and you have a fancy martini

cheers

[daz]

A couple of spoonfuls of dry rice, a slice of lemon, some water and a damn good shake.

substitute the water for Gin and you have a fancy martini

cheers

Or juniper sake?

[daver6]

Well I just gave the Steradent approach a whirl overnight. Decanter looks like new. This is the best solution with the least amount of effort. Thanks TiggerK

[AndrewCowley]

Where can you buy steradent?

[rens]

Where can you buy steradent?

Pharmacy. Supermarket in the toothpaste section.

[daver6]

No idea. I just mentioned it to the wife and some turned up

I wonder if the same would apply if I made mention of some Dom or perhaps a Lambo? On second thoughts, better not just in case

[MarKofQuality]

I usually just refill and continue drinking.
A. The refill covers the stain
B. By the time you finish you really don't care about the stain until the morning (then go to A. and repeat).