Wednesday, November 28, 2012

How To Remove The Stain And Clean A Crystal Wine Decanter

By Mamie Conrad


Cleaning a crystal wine decanter can be a challenge. The problem spots are usually the small neck and the stains that develop in the sides of the decanter over time. Extra care has to be exercised to avoid breakage of the precious crystal and at the same time maintains the sparkly clean appearance.

Opened wine spirits are preferably stored in decanters to preserve the life and enhance the natural aroma and flavor. These factors also improve the quality of the alcohol. However, one downside of this is the formation of stains on the neck and bottom surfaces inside the carafe. These discolorations come from the flavonoids and aromatic compounds that also define the quality of the wine. If not removed properly, it can result to the change in flavor of the next spirit that it contains aside from the unsightly appearance of the crystal.

When cleaning the crystal carafe, lay it on top of a heavy rubber mat or towel. Preferably use the sink as cleanup area to avoid accidental rolling over of the carafes while the washing process is ongoing. Use a soft sponge to avoid scratching the surface of the delicate jar. Mild dish washing liquid diluted in warm water is also recommended.

Similarly, wash the inside with dish washing liquid and warm water. Hold the container firmly with both hands, one on top and another at the bottom. Make shaking motions and let the detergent solution cover the whole area inside. Rinse with clean and warm water.

However, a more thorough cleanup is recommended if discolorations are left after the usual cleaning process. To remove stains, make a cleaning solution using several tablespoons of rock salt and undiluted white vinegar. Place it inside the bottle and make the swishy motions again. Make sure to concentrate on the areas with the most stain.

Another homemade solution is to soak a sponge in concentrated vinegar and sprinkling it with baking soda. Rub the stain with the sponge. Make certain not to wipe too hard so as not to break the fragile crystal.

If the two previous solutions does not work, you can make a combination of baking soda and the rock salt placed in warm water. Apply the mixture to the surface with the stain using a sponge and make gentle rubbing motions. For hard to reach areas, the swishing motion is recommended.

Rinse the container thoroughly using warm water. Repeat the rinsing until the water that comes out of the jar is clear. Allow the carafe to dry out totally using a kitchen towel that is preferably free of lint. You can also roll the jar in paper towels to dry off the outside surface.

For the toughest stains, the container can be soaked in a concentrated white vinegar solution overnight. Wash with a solution of warm water and mild detergent and rinse thoroughly. You can also use a hairdryer to hasten the drying of the container. However, extra care should be ascertained to avoid breaking the container because of too much heat. To avert cleaning tough discolorations, make it a standard to clean all crystal wine decanters thoroughly after each use.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment