Your decanter collection will need a little care to keep it in museum quality shape.

Since most collectible decanters are made of porcelain, china or glass, they won't bounce if you drop them. Other than that they will last for thousands of years.

From time to time dusting and an occasional washing with warm soapy (non-abrasive) water is advisable.

Decanters with fired-in color, which includes almost all modern (1955 to present) pieces, will not fade or lose their original color, no matter how many times you scrub them.

The foil or paper label decanters and decanters with unfired or cold paint decorations are a different story. Be careful when cleaning manufactures labels, since replacements are often hard to find. If your not certain, carefully test on small area before continuing.

Cold paint is not used much except in dull gold and silver decorating. All liquor decanters have a stopper one sort or another.

Many are china or porcelain attached to a cork, while others are simple screw caps. Decanters with cork type stoppers should have their corks "greased" with petroleum jelly. This keeps the cork from drying out. It also keeps the cork from breaking when guests try to twist them to see what's inside.
Information provided by A Guide to Decanter Collecting - Published by Ski Country LTD.-1991

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