Topic: Help with cleaning a decanter, please

[Fen]

This was in a box of glass I bought at auction. It isn't of the best quality, the pontil is rough, the flowers are worn and even the enamel dots appear to have been applied with an unsteady hand. I thought it might be 1930's and would appreciate any information from others as it reminded me of the sort of things my family had in their modest home and I liked it so I thought I would wash away some of the grime of the years. Unfortunately I couldn't get inside the narrow lip to dry the decanter and it has been left with unsightly dried water drips on the inside. It probably doesn't help that I live in a very hard water area. Is there any way I can rectify this please?

[TxSilver]

A good way to dry glass is to swish a little 91% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol in it after you wash it. Alcohol absorbs water. Invert the bottle until most of the alcohol has dripped out, then let the rest of it evaporate. The alcohol won't hurt glass.

Alcohol is often used as a drying agent. A good example is the product Swim-Ear that swimmers use to dry the water from their ears. I use it for glass with good results. You can buy it at any store as rubbing alcohol. There are two strengths -- 70% and 91%. The higher concentration is better for drying glass. I use about 1/4-1/2" in the bottom of the bottle, then swish it around the sides.

[taylog1]

Agreed - methyl alcohol (meths) also works - I don't find that the purple colouring stains the glass.
To shift the dried water drips you'll probably have to swill some water in there first - deionised water (B&Q) is better as it has much less dissolved impurities - (if you have one, demuhidifiers are also a good sourse of mineral free water)

Gareth

[Fen]

ThanK you both for your advice. I'm off to have a go, much appreciated.