How to Clean a Decanter
Decanters are the epitome of sophistication – a must-have for any wine lover who appreciates the taste, ceremony, and communal experience of cracking open a bottle. But when the bottle is over and guests have left, you are left with a delicate piece of glassware with nooks and crannies that no sponge or bottle brush can reach. If you live in an area with hard water (hello, London), there’s the added risk of mineral spots. Oh, and did we mention that washing-up liquid is not a decanter’s best friend?
Worry not: We have tools and tips that will ensure a decanter is always a source of pleasure.
Worry not: We have tools and tips that will ensure a decanter is always a source of pleasure.
What You Need to Clean a Decanter
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Warm Water: Don’t use boiling water or water that’s too hot, as that could cause the glass to crack (a result of thermal shock, which is when an item that is too hot touches an item that is too cold).
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White Vinegar (for Cloudy Spots or Deeper Clean): Warm water and decanter beads are enough to clean a decanter, but if you want some extra assurance – or if the glass is dull or has stubborn spots – use a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and warm water to clean.
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Why You Can’t Use Washing-Up Liquid to Clean a Decanter: Most dish soaps are designed to cut through cooking grease, not tannins, so they are not effective at removing stains. Moreover, soap leaves a film that could affect the taste and smell of future wine you’ll serve in the decanter, adding an unpleasant soapy taste. It’s the last thing you want when you are trying to enjoy an expensive vintage.
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Why You Can’t Use Washing-Up Liquid to Clean a Decanter: Most dish soaps are designed to cut through cooking grease, not tannins, so they are not effective at removing stains. Moreover, soap leaves a film that could affect the taste and smell of future wine you’ll serve in the decanter, adding an unpleasant soapy taste. It’s the last thing you want when you are trying to enjoy an expensive vintage.
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Peugeot Decanter Cleaning Beads: These stainless steel spheres reach the wide base and narrow curves that sponges and bottle brushes can't, providing the gentle mechanical friction needed to scrub away tannin stains. Shop here.
- Peugeot Decanter Drying Rack: This allows the decanter to air-dry completely upside down, preventing water from pooling at the base and causing "clouding" or musty oduors. Shop here.
How to Clean a Decanter (Without Dish Soap)
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Rinse as Soon as Possible: Red wine tannins act like natural dyes and bond aggressively with glass as they evaporate, so it’s best to give your decanter a rinse with lukewarm before the stains dry. You don’t have to clean the decanter straight away – especially if you have guests waiting – but it’s worth excusing yourself for a moment to rinse the decanter and pour out the water. Then you can complete the next steps later, or the next day.
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Swirl the Decanter Beads: Since you can't fit your hand inside a decanter, Peugeot Bilbo Decanter Cleaning Beads are here for the rescue. They are the gold standard for deep stains and intricate shapes where brushes can’t reach. To use them, drop the beads into the decanter with a splash of warm water, or a 1:1 ratio of warm water and white vinegar, for deep stains or foggy glass. Give it all a gentle, steady swirl for 2–3 minutes. The weight of the beads creates just enough friction to physically lift tannin deposits without scratching the glass. Finally, pour the water and beads through a sieve and rinse them. You can leave them to dry in the sieve or put them back in Peugeot’s container, which is designed to let the beads drain.
- Dry the Decanter Upside Down: Never dry a decanter right-side up – it traps moisture at the bottom, which leads to musty smells and water spots. The Peugeot Decanter Drier holds the decanter upside down, so moisture drains out while fresh air circulates inside. Rub the outside of the glass with a microfibre cloth, then position the decanter carefully on the rack to dry – and let gravity do the rest of the rest.
