Every time: the everyday clean
Rinse it the same evening
Swirl warm water round the decanter two or three times as soon as it is empty. Wine that dries overnight leaves a ring that is much harder to lift.
Swirl, do not scrub
For the base, swirl warm water with a small handful of cleaning beads. For the neck, a soft, flexible brush.
Last rinse with filtered water
Tap water leaves mineral spots as it dries. A final rinse with filtered or distilled water keeps the glass clear.
Dry it upside down
On a drying stand, so the water runs out and air reaches the inside. Then polish the outside with a microfibre cloth.
For stains: four methods that work
Four ways to lift stains
| Method | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning beads | Warm water and a handful of steel beads, swirled 1–2 minutes | Everyday use, any wide base |
| Crushed ice and coarse salt | Swirl a few spoons of each until the stain lifts | Sturdy decanters, a quick scrub |
| White vinegar soak | Warm water with a splash of vinegar, one hour, then rinse well | An old, set-in ring |
| Soft, flexible brush | Warm water, gentle strokes along the glass | The neck and slim decanters |
Why not soap?
Soap is hard to rinse out of a narrow neck, and a trace of it smells and tastes in the next wine. If a decanter is greasy or smells, use a single drop of unscented soap and rinse it many times. Then smell it: it should smell of nothing.
Why not the dishwasher?
The hot, strong detergent and the knocks inside the machine are hard on thin crystal, and a tall decanter rarely fits safely. Only use the dishwasher if the maker says the model is dishwasher safe, as some everyday Riedel and Schott Zwiesel decanters are. Handmade crystal goes by hand.
Mistakes that damage a decanter
- Boiling water. A sudden jump in temperature can crack crystal. Use warm, not boiling.
- Bleach or strong cleaners. They can etch the glass and leave a smell.
- Hard brushes or wire. They scratch. Use soft heads.
- Drying it upright in a cupboard. The water stays in the base and smells stale.
The cleaning kit
My picks come from the Amazon listings and from what a sommelier needs a decanter to do, not from a lab test. Price levels: $ budget, $$ everyday, $$$ mid-range, $$$$ premium. The button shows today’s price.
Step-by-step guides for each tool: cleaning beads, a cleaning brush and a drying stand. For the outside, see how to polish glassware.
Cleaning a decanter: your questions
How do you clean a wine decanter?
Rinse it with warm water straight after use, before the wine dries. For stains, swirl warm water with cleaning beads, or crushed ice with coarse salt, or soak it in warm water with a splash of white vinegar. Rinse well and dry it upside down.
Can you use soap to clean a decanter?
Better not. Soap is hard to rinse out of a narrow neck and can leave a smell the next wine picks up. If you must, use one drop of unscented soap and rinse many times.
Can you put a decanter in the dishwasher?
Only if the maker says it is dishwasher safe, as with some machine-made Riedel and Schott Zwiesel models. Handmade crystal should be washed by hand.
How do you get red wine stains out of a decanter?
Swirl crushed ice and coarse salt, or warm water with cleaning beads, until the stain lifts. For an old stain, soak it in warm water with white vinegar for an hour first. Rinse well.
How do you stop water spots on a decanter?
Give it a last rinse with filtered or distilled water, then dry it upside down on a stand so the water runs out instead of drying in the base.
Keep reading
Some links on this site are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.