How to Clean a Wine Decanter (Pro Tips from a Sommelier)

Wine decanters are beautiful, elegant, help open your wine to the perfect degree, and also a total pain to clean.

Those curves are completely gorgeous. That narrow neck, however, is an absolute nightmare when you realize there’s dried red wine staining the bottom like a crime scene left a little too long.

I’ve tried it all: decanter brushes, those weird cleaning beads, swishing baking soda, boiling water (not recommended, don’t try it), and even risking dishwasher disasters. Nothing worked as effortlessly, or weirdly well, as the cleaning trick I’m about to share.

After years of struggling with glassware, I’ve finally found the best way to clean a decanter: espresso machine cleaner.

Yep. Stay with me.

Why Are Decanters So Hard to Clean, Anyway?

Wine decanters aren’t just decorative, they’re literally designed to aerate wine, separating it from sediment and softening tannins. Unfortunately for us, their very shape makes them tough to wash with those narrow openings blocking brushes, wide bases trapping residue, and all of it made with delicate glass that risks scratching or cracking.

Add in dried wine pigments (thank you, Cabernet) and leftover tannins clinging to the glass, and you’ve got a cleaning challenge.

The usual suspects (dish soap and water) don’t cut it. And you definitely don’t want soapy residue in your next bottle. (Trust me, a Sauvignon Blanc with dish soap notes is not the pairing you’re going for.)

The “Espresso Cleaner” Trick That Changed the Game

After trying every wine hack on the internet, I stumbled across a pro tip from a barista friend: espresso machine cleaning powder works wonders on glass stains.

It made sense, espresso machines get caked in stubborn coffee oils and buildup, kind of like wine residue in a decanter. If it can clean espresso machines safely, why not delicate glass?

I gave it a shot with Urnex Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaner. Mixed a teaspoon in warm water, poured it into the decanter, swirled gently, let it soak 10 minutes…

And like magic? That deep red haze vanished. No scrubbing, no beads that spill everywhere and are definitely a horror to the environment, no awkward brush-wiggling that misses all the important spots no matter how hard I try, just sparkling glass.

I’ve been using it ever since.

How to Use Espresso Cleaner to Clean Your Decanter

Here’s exactly what I do:

Rinse decanter with warm water to loosen any fresh wine
Fill with warm water (about halfway)
Add 1 tsp espresso cleaner powder
Swirl gently to dissolve
Let sit 10–15 minutes (longer if heavily stained)
Swirl again and pour out
Rinse thoroughly at least 3–4 times with warm water

If your decanter is really cloudy, you can repeat or let it soak a bit longer, I sometimes leave them overnight for that extra shine. But honestly, I’ve rarely needed more than one round.

Is It Safe for Glass?

Totally fair question, I’m glad I asked it for you.

Espresso cleaner is designed for food-contact equipment, like metal, ceramic, and glass espresso machine parts. It’s a non-abrasive, oxygen-based cleaner, so it breaks down organic residue without scratching or leaving chemical films.

I’ve been using it on my decanters for years with zero issues. No cloudiness, no etching, no weird textures or flavors left behind. Just clear, happy glass.

(Obviously rinse thoroughly so there’s no leftover cleaner in the decanter, same way you’d rinse your espresso machine parts.)

What About Decanter Brushes and Beads?

Don’t get me wrong, decanting beads and flexible brushes have their place. I still use brushes for light daily cleanings if I’m in a rush. They work okay for swishing around light sediment.

But for stubborn stains? Espresso cleaner wins every time.

Decanter brushes I won’t lie to you, I’ve snapped more than I care to admit trying to shove them around tight necks. Plus, they never quite reach the base’s curves. And cheap brushes can shed bristles which then float around inside your next bottle of Burgundy.

No thanks.

Why This Cleaning Trick Saves You Time and Stress

Look, cleaning decanters isn’t fun. But this method removes the part I dreaded most: the endless scrubbing and rinsing and still seeing a faint wine ghost haunting the bottom.

No scrubbing, no fancy gear, and no praying to the wine gods with cleaning beads stuck in the neck.

Just a sprinkle of powder, a soak, a rinse, and you’re done.

Why Even Bother With a Decanter?

In case you’re wondering if it’s worth the hassle: yes. Decanters really do improve many wines, especially young reds.

Decanting softens tannins, opens up aromas, and separates wine from sediment in older bottles.

If you’re drinking Champagne, decanting gently lifts subtle floral and earthy notes (yes, it does make it lose the bubbles faster, I know!). Speaking of, I wrote a deep dive into the history of Champagne, check it out if you want to nerd out on this celebratory wine.)

Other Pro Tips for Decanter Cleaning

Want to go full pro? A few extra ideas:
Rinse with hot water immediately after use if you can’t clean right away.
Dry upside down over a decanter stand (avoids water spots).
Use distilled water for a final rinse if you have hard tap water.

And if your decanter is super old and already etched? No cleaner will “restore” clarity, you’re dealing with permanent etching from minerals at this point, but regular cleaning prevents new clouding.

At the end of the day, cleaning a decanter doesn’t have to be a battle. I’ve tried beads, brushes, dishwasher pods (don’t do it!!!), vinegar, and baking soda.

Nothing worked as fast or as effortlessly as espresso machine cleaner. It’s my go-to now, and I swear by it for anyone tired of spending 20 minutes battling a bottle brush.

Pour your wine. Decant it beautifully. And when the night’s over? Give it a rinse, a swirl of espresso cleaner, and a happy sigh of relief.

Because life’s too short for stained decanters.