Cleaning Art and Crafts

Cleaning and Maintaining Fine Art and Crafts Pieces

If you own a piece of fine art, crafts or handmade jewelry, you may wonder how to keep it looking its best.

If you purchased art from a garage sale or flea market, it may already be dirty or discolored.

Most art and antiques experts will probably tell you not to touch it. Probably more value has been lost through improper and/or unneccessary cleaning than due to other causes except maybe total destruction of the piece.

A lot of care must be taken in order to avoid damage or removal of valuable patina or finish. If the peice is at all valuable, it's best to leave the job to the experts.

Rachel Lake
Acrylic by Mike Ferguson

Paintings

Paintings are extremely difficult to clean without risking damage to the chemical composition of the paints. If your painting is museum quality, it is well worth the expense of hiring a professional art restorer. If your painting is less valuable, you may want to proceed on your own, using extreme caution.

Begin with the least invasive method possible. Many experts use a soft sable brush to gently lift dirt in tandem with a low-powered vacuum cleaner hose to clear it away. Make sure that your brush has no sharp bristles, and use very gentle strokes to avoid pushing or dragging dirt across the painting.

Older oil paintings can easy flake if touched so a lot of care is necessary.

If vacuuming does not remove all of the debris, you might consider a very mild soap and water solution.

Be aware that you are taking the risk of dissolving the paint or causing chips to flake off.

Test an extremely tiny, inconspicuous corner with a cotton swab dipped in the solution, and allow it fully dry before proceeding.

If you will clean the entire painting in this way, go very slowly and gently.

Dab the painting rather than rubbing, and never allow water or soap to collect or pool. Never submerge the painting.

Allow it to air dry over several days before returning it to its frame.

Craft Pieces

Bronze sculpture, 'The Kiss'

Hard-surfaced craft items can generally be cleaned with a very mild soap and water solution. Always test a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding.

Never use harsh chemicals or household cleaners.

A soft new cloth should always be used to prevent scratching or damaging the piece.

You do not want to damage the patina of the piece or any other paint or coating used in its finish.

For newer pieces, the artist or dealer might still be around to give advice.

If your piece is fabric, you will need to be concerned about fading, running colors or water spots. Vacuuming fabric pieces can remove much of the dirt and debris without damaging the fabric. If your piece is old or fragile, consult with a professional for advice.

Handmade Jewelry

If you wear your handmade jewelry items on a regular basis, you can prevent most buildup of dirt or debris with a bit of daily maintenance. When you remove the item, carefully clean it with a soft jeweler's cloth. Use only the soft pads of your fingers, never your fingernails.

If there is stubborn debris or tarnish, you have a few options. The gentlest solution is to mix a few drops of dish washing liquid into a sink of water. Carefully lower the piece into the sink and allow it to soak for three minutes. Rinse the item carefully and dry it thoroughly before storing.

Ultrasonic cleaners are readily available today. However, they are too harsh for many gemstones and may cause the setting to come loose. Therefore, ultrasonic cleaning is recommended only for the strongest and dirtiest pieces.

Caring for your fine art and craft items need not be difficult. Focus on preventing dirt and debris from accumulating, and you should never need to deep clean your items.

If a piece does require significant cleaning, proceed slowly and cautiously, using the least invasive method possible.

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