Whether you are just starting up your collection, or looking to restore a wine cellar that has seen better days, taking the time to become familiar with the proper maintenance techniques can make all the difference in the world. Evidence of a chronically-neglected wine cellar is apparent at first glance, and does a disservice to the time and effort you’ve put into curating your collection. Contrary to popular belief, proper wine cellar maintenance does not need to be difficult or time-consuming–merely consistent, diligent, and regular.
Mark an appointment on your calendar once per week, and take the time to review the key areas we have outlined below. With a little tender loving care, you can keep your wine cellar sparkling like new for years to come.
When it comes to maintaining the integrity of your wine cellar, few things are a top priority as keeping the temperature and humidity under tight control.
It is critical to keep your humidity levels between 60-70 percent, and your temperature as close as you can to 12 or 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit). If humidity dips beneath 60%, it could quickly lead to drying out your corks. Dried corks will leave your wines susceptible to oxidation and the eventual destruction of your wine’s integrity. If humidity rises to 80% or above, your cellar could develop mold. While mold will not affect the bottled wine itself, it could destroy both the labels and–depending on their material–even your wine racks.
Easy HVAC Maintenance
We have outlined some simple steps to keep your humidity levels and temperature in check:
- Change filters according to your HVAC unit’s maintenance schedule
- Check thermostat functionality
- Visually inspect the ductwork for leaks and tears
Taking the time to make sure your wine cellar’s cooler is operating at peak efficiency is key to preserving your collection’s value. Plus, the earlier any issues are caught, the less likely they will be to affect your collection permanently.
Cleaning Your Wine Racks and Bottles – Metal or Wooden Racks
No matter the makeup of your wine racks, regularly cleaning both racks and bottles can help you sustain that new wine cellar feeling for months, and even years.
Dusting
Merely taking a dry microfiber cloth to your racks and bottles can pick up all kinds of dust. Regular dusting is better than intermittent dusting, since the more you let the dust build up, the more of a process it will be to remove it. But it is never too late to start afresh, and get in the habit of regularly cleaning dust out of your racks and bottles.
If the dust build-up is severe enough, fine-grain sandpaper may be required to clear out the dust. It is vital not to let your wine racks get to this point.
Polishing
Your wine cellar should be a focal point of your home–a conversation piece; one of the key stops on any tour of your abode. Why not put a little extra care into making your wine cellar pop, sure to impress your friends and family at every turn? Few things show the pride you take in your collection like adding a layer of polish to your wine racks.
The best time to add polish to your wine racks is right after they’ve been cleaned, to ensure they are completely free of dust and grime.
The best time to add polish to your wine racks is to clean them and remove all layers of dust and grime.
Apply a small amount of polish to a clean microfiber or polish-applicator cloth. Then, using small circular motions, rub the polish into your wine rack. Carefully wipe away any excesses, and repeat until your wine racks are shining like new.
Simple Preventive Steps for Wine Cellar Care
Taking a few minutes every week to conduct preventive maintenance on your wine cellar can save you thousands of dollars on future restorations–and, of course, will help keep a newly installed wine cellar looking brand new.
Mold Prevention
Between the high humidity and low sunlight that make up an ideal wine cellar environment, you have the perfect recipe for growing mold.
You will need to carefully monitor your wine cellar for signs of mold or mildew, and address these problems as soon as possible. Remember, keeping humidity between 60% and 70% is optimal, but anything over 80% will lead to a build-up of mold spores.
If the humidity in your wine cellar exceeds 80%, a small dehumidifier will help soak up the excess.
Take care to thoroughly inspect your wine cellar for any water beading or pools of moisture. Cleaning this up and preventing it from happening again will keep your wines and their labels safe.
Do not forget, even with mold growing on your bottle’s label, your wine will remain safe. However, if your label starts to develop mold, there is no other solution but to remove the label along with the mold.
Dust Buildup Prevention
Adding cookie/baking sheets to the tops of your wine racks is a simple hack for cutting down on dusting in those hard-to-reach spots. When placed correctly, these sheets will not be noticeable to anyone browsing your collection. They can help cut down significantly on dust accumulation and spread. Then, instead of taking sandpaper to your custom wine racks to get rid of dust, you can just change a cookie sheet.
While nothing quite compares to owning and showing off a custom wine cellar, owning and showing off a well-maintained custom wine cellar is even better. If you want to see what the wine cellar of your dreams could look like in your home, use our VR Demo or call at (800) 659-WINE (9463).
