[keepers_cottage]

Hi All,

I have about 6 demi johns that I will be using very shortly for some spring wines. 4 of them look clean however 2 of them are dirty inside. It is like a haze/chalk that will come off a bit but not completely. 

I have tried with a bottle brush, dries peas etc but nothing will work. They are too good to throw away. Obviously I will use campden tabs but they need to be clean first.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Ice]

Think I remember seenig this on tv, you put white vinegar and dry rice in and shake it around. 

[hindy]

There is a cleaning solution that you can buy at home brew shops. Can't remember what its called but works very well

[digital_biscuit]

My theory is, if it aint gonna come off and the bottle is sterilised then just use it anyway!!

[David.]

I use thin bleach, which I then use for the same purpose, or for cleaning permanent marker off re-used seed labels. Then that bleach gets used for the unmentionable purposes for which OH originally intended it for.

But make sure it's well cleansed afterwards - google bleach + "cork taint".

[Ropster]

I use stuff called VWP from homebrew shop, if that wont get it off, it will stearalise it and it wont be a problem

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, i use the cheap Milton ( big bottle very cheap ) use neat or with a little water removes stains and sterilses at the same time.

[beestie-crawlies]

You could try a length of plug chain, or similar to swirl around inside with a cleaning solution.

[Stripey_cat]

I use a strong bleach solution and a bottle-brush, then rinse and rinse and rinse!

[David.]

I have tried with a bottle brush

I use a strong bleach solution and a bottle-brush

Do you actually mean bottle brush , or a demijohn brush - which is much longer and can be bent to get right into the internal curves of the DJ?

Top - bottle brush,
Miiddle - DJ brush,
Bottom older (last of the Mohicans style) DJ brush that's really good for cleaning the flat bottom and vertical sides of a DJ:

[Stripey_cat]

I have one of the old style demi-john brushes, and one of the newer sort, which I think is better for getting into the shoulder.  An actual bottle-brush wouldn't reach the bottom!

[keepers_cottage]

Thats what I am looking for!

I have a normal bottle brush. Ebay here we come!

[RichardA]

broken nut shells such as walnuts shaken around can help. Stain might be etched to inner surface in which case will not come off
R

[reggyboy]

Bleach is great for sanatising but not for removing caked on material,i normally use either soda crystals and a brush or the oxy clean products.

[David.]

Bleach is great for sanatising but not for removing caked on material

Bleach lifted a long dead mouse firmly stuck to the bottom of a demijohn a treat. I wouldn't have wanted to poke away at something like that with my nice clean brushes.