How To Clean The Inside of Bottles & Vases

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If you collect old perfume bottles, miniatures, or ones with necks too narrow to use a brush, you can easily clean the inside by doing the following:

• Fill bottle 3/4 full with warm water, a bit of dish detergent and about a teaspoon of uncooked rice (if it’s a medium to large size, add more if you think you need it).
• Seal the top and shake, shake, shake and swirl the rice around a bit. If the glass is fragile, swirl gently.
• Once cleaned thoroughly rinse out the grains of rice and soapy water, then allow to air dry (without the cap or cork on if there is one).

If there is a white film or crusty deposit, trying soaking in a 50/50 vinegar and warm water solution for a few hours or even overnight (fill to top). Dump the liquid and then add warm soapy water and uncooked rice then proceed as noted above.

How To Remove A Cork Lodged Inside:
*First published December 8, 2006 and moved to this page for better organization

Cork Stuck In A Bottle? Here's How To Fix That

If bottle is empty:

• Pour ammonia into it until the cork floats. Set aside for a few days.
• The cork should deteriorate from the ammonia and after a few days will be small enough to fall out.

If it’s not empty:

• First pour liquid into a carafe or jar and seal. If there are cork bits in the liquid, strain by pouring through cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Then try the above ammonia trick on the now empty bottle to remove the cork.

If you’d like to save the cork, you can try this technique:

• Fold a thin cloth napkin or fabric piece opposite corner to opposite corner so that you now have a triangle. Carefully insert into bottle with the fold side coming underneath the cork, make sure to leave enough of the napkin outside for you to hold onto. Once cork is positioned in between fabric (with fold underneath it), start pulling napkin out. Watch the cork as you are pulling out the fabric, trying to position it in such a way that it will come out with the fabric.

Cleaning Vases

*First published November 29, 2006 and moved to this page for better organization

Here are a few tips for cleaning buildup, stains and grime inside of vases:

• Fill with vinegar and soak overnight
• Try orange slices (or other citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruit) and soak overnight
• Make a paste of cream of tartar and water, apply liberally and sit for awhile. Scrub clean.
• Soak with warm water and a denture cleaner tablet or packet
• Try soaking in ammonia overnight

To Remove Odors:

• Pour a solution of water and baking soda into the vase and let stand for several hours. Wash clean and odors should be gone, if not just repeat the process.