Cleaning Demijohns

stressedoutmumof1

Hi guys

Yesterday I managed to pick up 2 demijohns from a lovely lady from freecycle - only problem is they are filthy :eek: Does anyone have any fabulous ideas on how to clean them (inside)

Thanks in advance

wishingonastar_3

pour in some uncooked rice (enough to cover the bottom) and about an inch cold water and swish around. my gran used to swear by this for cleaning a decanter bottle and it works really well.

pol

I cut a scrubby sponge in half and tie a long string round the middle. Swish the inside of the demi with hot water and empty out. Push the sponge inside, keeping hold of the string. I use a small garden cane, but whatever you have to hand will do, to push the scrubby around. Brings mine up a treat, just don't leave too much water inside, or you'll never get it back out!

Sorry I seem to have made it a bit long winded, but easy really!

pol

thriftmonster

I have to admit I invested in a demijohn brush - looks like the things you used to get in chemistry lessons - it wasn't verey expensive and is great - loooks a bit like a loo brush on a wire

ariba10

wishingonastar wrote:

pour in some uncooked rice (enough to cover the bottom) and about an inch cold water and swish around. my gran used to swear by this for cleaning a decanter bottle and it works really well.

I use a coarse builders sand.

Mrs(no)money

ariba10 wrote:

I use a coarse builders sand.

I just use ordinary salt. Kim & aggie taught me that!:D

Anastacia

swirling little pebbles or grit around in there. doesnt dissolve like some of hte other things.

good luck

Zed42

I bought a brush from Wilkinsons for about £1.25, but I love the rice idea

apple_mint

OH invested in a good demi-john brush, but one set of demi-johns he bought off a car boot sale were particularly bad so he put a small piece of chain (toilet chain sized links) in the demijohn with water and some washing up liquid and spent a long, long time swishing and shaking the demi-john around. Finished off then, using the brush.

The best idea is to clean them as soon as you rack off or bottle your wine and then they are nice and clean when you next need them.:D Unfortunately the car boot sale ones, on the whole, always seem to need a good clean :rolleyes:

Janey51

My OH is a great wine maker...he's just been out to gather elderberries and has 3 gallons sitting by the Aga. He says use Bicarb of Soda, Milton or Steradent to get them finally clean. Apparently that is what is used to clean old decanters.