Soap Isn't Always The Best Way To Clean A Wine Decanter. Here's Why

Decanting a bottle of wine – not hyper-decanting, which is a no-no – has many benefits. Generally speaking, this process allows the wine to breathe and can be a way to remove sediment in older wines. However, those wine decanters are not easy to clean. So, what's the right way to go about cleaning your decanter?

Similar to how you shouldn't use boiling water to wash wooden spoons, experts say you shouldn't go the obvious route and use soap to wash a wine decanter. Doing so could leave an unpleasant residue, both in terms of look and perhaps even taste. But if you don't use soap, how do you properly clean the decanter? When you have a question such as this, it's best to rely on a pro.

We asked Maximilian Riedel, owner and CEO of wine glass company Riedel, for his advice about cleaning a wine decanter. He gave us some surprising information. "As long as you are washing your decanter straight after each use, you can clean your decanter with warm water alone," he said. According to Riedel, even a well-rinsed decanter can still have stubborn soap residue. The same goes for dishwasher detergent (which is really just soap, anyway). Both can negatively affect the flavor and aroma of the wine.

If you opt for sleep instead of rinsing your wine decanter after a dinner party, all is not lost. If you find a residue, "pour a bottle of carbonated water into your decanter and allow it to sit overnight," Riedel said. "In the morning, try rinsing your decanter again with a steadier hand." The carbonated bubbles can do a bit of the scrubbing work for you without leaving a soapy residue.

There are other methods for cleaning decanters without soap. Some wine experts recommend using vinegar – it's perfect for cleaning an electric kettle. Others say salt and vinegar followed by a thorough rinse with plain water works. No matter which method you prefer, just remember that soap should never see the inside of your wine decanter.

Wine decanters aren't the only thing that shouldn't be washed with soap. Stainless steel appliances, wooden cutting boards, and granite countertops all need special care when cleaning and soap is rarely, if ever, the right answer. Ultimately, heeding a little bit of advice from experts can make all the difference.