Topic: Cleaning decanters

[Ivo]

i know the only really good acid for cleaning glass is hydrofloric acid which is deadly !

Do Not Even Think Of It!

[TxSilver]

I dry vases and decanters by pouring a little 91% rubbing alcohol into them, then swishing it around before pouring it off. Then I invert for a while and finally set the glass upright, uncovered, to let the rest of the alcohol evaporate out. I've had good results -- no water spots or lines. We used alcohol to dry water from tissues in the lab, so it was just instinct. I can't see how alcohol could damage the glass, but would like to hear if someone knows different.

[Andy]

Wikipedia gives a good description of Hydrofluoric acid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrofloric_acid

Very dangerous stuff

Now, wheres my Chemistry set?  I need a teflon pan with a drop of prozac!   

[Andy]

Found it!
 
How they used Hydrofloric acid in 1951 

http://glassfootage.blogspot.com/2008/03/cut-glass-1951-birmingham.html

Thanks to Patrick :thup:

Other great films on the site,
http://glassfootage.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=27

Andy

[Anne]

For cleaning stubborn marks off glass Barkeepers' Friend is handy.

To dry long necked decanters or bottles I use a spare basket from the dishwasher and upend it into one of the basket sections. If positioned safely where it won't tip over it works a treat.  You can also buy decanter drainers - now there's a neat idea!   :clap:

[JRS]

I have a very nice decanter.  I'm unsure of its age.  I'm a novice when it comes to glass.
I have nasty, cloudy white stains inside and have tried, to no avail, to get rid of them. So far, I've used:

- detergent and warm water;
- a shop bought kettle descaling powder, (which is meant to fizz, though mine didn't, as I couldn't use such hot water, as required), though perhaps this wasn't a good move;
- neat white vinegar and lastly,
- Coca Cola.

Incidentally, I washed the decanter thoroughly in between each attempt of the above.  The Coke is still merrily fizzing away. It's been in the decanter for around 45 minutes.  I'm not sure how long I should leave it there for.

If that doesn't work, (fingers crossed it does), I was going to try the 'rice, warm water and detergent' formula. 
I spotted your forum, and thought I would get some very informed advice first.
As I said, I'm not sure if the decanter is old, (there's certainly no seam in the glass, so it looks hand blown and the design, perhaps manually cut), I don't want to make things even worse.

Would hugely appreciate your help.
Many thanks
Jeanette

[Paul S.]

hello Jeanette - welcome to the GMB.                  This is a subject that has run and run for years now, popping up occasionally still when people think they have some new formulae that for them works miracles.
If you have tried a good proprietary limescale remover  -  if not then certainly do so - and the suggestion of Coca-Cola - without any improvement, then it's more than likely that the internal surface of your decanter has been damaged.
Alcohol left in a decanter for a considerable time can often eat into a micron or two of the glass surface, and cause permanent damage - or at least damage that is usually beyond being cured by an amateur - it's simply not possibly to get adequate polishing pressure on the internal surface of glass to regain the shine.
It seems that the only solution for this problem is flushing with acid, BY A PROFESSIONAL GLASS RESTORER, as discussed in the Great Glass link, as shown above. 
Whether you go down that route really does depend on how you value your piece of glass  -  is it possible that you can post a picture of your decanter for us to see?      

[JRS]

Thanks for getting back to me.  I never realised glass cleaning could be so complicated 
Oh dear, I've tried uploading a photo, bad sadly, despite only being slightly larger than a thumbnail, (the picture, that is), your server tells me it's too large.  Can't understand what could be happening.
BFN
Jeanette

[Paul S.]

hi  -  probably true to say that many 'cloudy' decanters are bought in the belief that this staining can be removed without too much trouble, but as most of us here discover, that's often not the case, and unless your bottle has some real value, then it's unlikely to be worth paying for professional treatment.               
If you can acquire some silicone grease, try smearing the thinnest of coatings on the inside surface and this will hide the appearance of the staining  -  of course you will then never be able to use the decanter, but at least it won't look tacky        
Decanters are made by means of mould blown and free blown (in the sense of free blown, and not blown into a mould), and this glass sickness is found in both types, it's extent dependent on the type of alcohol content, probably, and for how long the contents have been present.
Whether lead glass has an improved resistance over non-lead glass, to surface decay, maybe someone else can tell us.

The Mods. here are very helpful, and if you send you larger pix to Anne, it's possible the lady will be able to adjust the size and post on your behalf.       Hope you are able to try that suggestion. 

[KevinH]

Hi Jeanette, as Paul says, the Moderators (Anne at least) are very friendly - and I try to be kind on days when the weather is good.

Send your pics(s) direct to me at "kevh DOT glass AT btinternet DOT com" (change DOT and AT and  DOT to the usual characters and close up spaces) and I will sort them out for you.