How do you clean out your decanters?

[Roy Hersh]

Stick 'em in the dishwasher, just rinse, use a special cleaner? What works best for you?

[Derek T.]

I just rinse them with water. They never see detergent of any kind.

Derek

[Scott Anaya]

Just rinse very thoroughly with super hot water, no soap, except very lightly on the outside. The hotter the water the more quickly it evaporates and leaves fewer spots.

With wine glasses I use the special wine glass soap that doesn't leave any residue and again, very thoroughly rinsed in hot water and dried immediately to prevent spots.

I also have a no rinsing and clean later policy since any evaporated water in a wine glasses or decanter leaves a hard to remove mineral deposit ring. Much better to just let the wine dry out in the glass as that rinses/washes away no problem.

[Erik Wiechers]

Like all my dishes, stick 'em in the dishwasser and let the technology do its work.
What's good enough to eat from is also good enough to drink from :)

[Todd Pettinger]

Rinse and air dry.

I need to get me one of those decanter washing brushes because my crystal decanter is starting to take on some red stains, despite vigorous washing/rinsing with scalding hot water. Nothing beats a good scrubbing!

[Johannes Stadler]

I usually just rinse the decanter and additionally use my metal balls to clean it like these here.

As my water is very limy? (a lot of carbonates) I sometimes have to clean it out using some vinegar essence.
One of these days I have to pick up some water purifier :).

[Moses Botbol]

I try to use just warm water, but occasionally have to use dishwashing soap. A couple times a year use Urnex Caffiza on decanter and wine glasses. This solution is for cleaning espresso machine parts and you'd be amazed how much this takes off even a clean looking glass.

The water will have rose tint when rinsed out. After that, I use plenty of water.

[Marc J.]

I wash my decanters & wine glasses by hand with warm water - no detergent. I also have a decanter cleaning sponge/brush that can scrub the inside of the decanter and generally this method produces excellent results.

Marc

[SEAN C.]

I usually take any new decanter I get and throw it in the dishwasher...even if it's 200 years old...after it's "seasoned" with Port I jut rinse it with soap and water and let it air dry.

[Derek T.]

I usually just rinse the decanter and additionally use my metal balls to clean it like these here.

Johannes,

I am so glad you provided that link to explain :?

Derek

[Roy Hersh]

Do those of you who use a dishwasher find that there is:

a. a slight film of soap that builds up on the inside?
b. soap spots are left on the surface in/outside the decanter?
c. an aroma of soap that is perceptible in the decanter?

[Derek T.]

Do those of you who use a dishwasher find that there is:

a. a slight film of soap that builds up on the inside?
b. soap spots are left on the surface in/outside the decanter?
c. an aroma of soap that is perceptible in the decanter?

I don't use the diswasher for my decanters but I do for my glasses, and I do not find that any of the above occur.

Derek

[Alex K.]

I only stuff them in the dishwasher when they have gone a bit mucky over time. I prefer to rinse, stick some hot water and a little detergent then shake vigorously, then rinse and rinse and rinse.

I have those metal balls as well but haven't used them in years.

[Mike McCune]

It took some 'efferdent' (I think), a denture cleaner that worked really well after having some pretty bad wine stains on the bottom of the decanter for a long time.