How do you clean demijohns?

[palborn]

Hi, it's me again.

I've inherited a couple of demijohns from my Dad but they are filthy on the inside having not been used for years.

What is the best way to clean them? As the necks are so small how do you make sure they are spotlessly clean on the inside? I did wonder about using some small gravel and swooshing them around with some bicarb but is there another way?

Thanks again.

[shirlthegirl43]

I would recommend a good long soak with hot soapy water. Then invest in a bottle brush (you can get big wonky ones from brew stores). I also use 'magic balls' which I think I got from Lakeland. These are swirled around with a small amount of soapy water and get all sorts of bits out (just empty the dj into a seive to catch them all for re-use). If you use fish tank gravel it would probably do the same thing

Then a good sterilise with Milton or similar and away you go.

[scarey55]

I find liquid washing powder (I know, but you know what I mean) diluted in water works a treat on lots of glass bottles. Take care when handling though, it makes them VERY slippery.

After that, as Shirley said, sterilise with milton or similar. I notice you are in France. You probably already know this but if you have a fosse septic then take care that the milton or similar doesn't get into it.

What are you planning on making?

[Alice]

If you don't have the magic balls Palborn then try rice in some soapy water and give them a good shake round. I use it for cleaning vases.
Then as others said a soak in Milton.

[dexterdoglancashire]

If you don't have the magic balls Palborn then try rice in some soapy water and give them a good shake round. I use it for cleaning vases.
Then as others said a soak in Milton.

You beat me to it Alice. Nice to know that someone else has the same ideas as me.

[annacruachan]

I use Ariel and pretty hot water, then leave them for 24 hrs. As Scarey says, they are very slippery so be careful, but it does a brilliant job - like that ad for Finish!

[Brewer-again]

heavy cleaning

I would use chempro, it can be decanted off into the next vessel and saved for use again if needs be.
You mix it and fill the vessel, leave to work, the muck will just slide off, then pour off the clean liquid into the next jar and rinse the first. leaves the surface of the glass as smooth as it was, unlike sand which will sratch the surface.

I use cheap ( budget label ) bleach, just be careful you don't splash yourself.

I reckon it would cost about 40p to clean say 6 demijohns. Initial outlay about £2 with loads left for the future.

[singleseeder]

A tip from an old 'household management book' - something you would give to your servants - "to clean stained crystal glass decanters, use a handful of dry rice and soapy water and shake until the stains are gone."

[palborn]

Thanks very much everyone. Lots of great ideas! I haven't decided what to make yet, just want to get them clean first! Maybe elderberry wine.

[nickybeancat]

Hi
Yes use the magic balls from Lakeland, they are £3.99 and work well, you can order them online and then a good Miltoning!!
Nicky

[Madame Mucksprout]

I use rice and vinegar (It really did a spectacular job), or gravel and vinegar (I really recomend the vinegar). Lots of clean water to rinse then baby bottle sterilisor to sterilise (I use tesco own as is significantly cheaper than Milton) and does same thing.

[Hilary B]

I would be wary of washing winemaking kit with vinegar. It should wash off the glassware OK, but somehow it just doesn't seem RIGHT....

[Nelly]

I managed to get hold of some second-hand demi-johns and they were pretty filthy. I was amazed by the results I got just by soaking them in some Young's "cleaner-steriliser". Another make VWP cleaner-steriliser has much the same miraculous gunge-removing effect. You use it at a more concentrated level for really dirty stuff (instructions on the packets), leaving it to soak for 24 hours (I use the bath!). I was truly impressed with the results and now I always use this method whenever I acquire wine bottles of dubious age and cleanliness!

[terrier]

... You use it at a more concentrated level for really dirty stuff (instructions on the packets), leaving it to soak for 24 hours (I use the bath!).

I bet you had the cleanest BATH on the island

[Nelly]

It was my boyfriend's bath - and yes, it's most definitely the cleanest in East Yorkshire! Soaking bottles in the bath overnight (in plain water) is also good for getting the labels off. I'm living in a 12-foot caravan at the moment and really, really missing the wine-making. I've been considering removing the (unused) chemical toilet and filling the "bathroom" with demi-john-sized storage, I'm missing it that much... Bring on the static caravan and my wine-making gear back from storage! (Just waiting for planning permission.)