Written by Rosanne | Last updated 20th August 2019
If you own any paintings, whether they're investments, have sentimental value or are simply aesthetically pleasing, you'll want to keep them looking their best with proper cleaning and protection. Taking proper care of your paintings means they will stay in great condition for generations to come. In this article, find our in-house art experts' advice on preventing damage, cleaning and protecting your paintings, and when to call in the professionals.
Prevention
Framing your painting behind glass is just one way to prevent damage to it
Storage
You can further protect your work by storing it properly when it's not on display. Before storing your art, wrap it securely in foam or tissue paper. Although bubble wrap can be very useful for transporting the work, it is less primed for long-term storage since it can trap moisture inside it which can damage your painting. Extreme heat and humidity are detrimental to oil paintings. So make sure you store these works in a suitable place or invest in a dehumidifier.Cleaning
Cleaning your paintings twice a year will keep them in great condition. If you decide to clean the painting yourself be sure to always lay the work on a table or another flat surface before you start, because if you clean your painting while it's hanging, it could fall. Clean the work with a soft, dry brush that cannot damage the paint or fabric. Ensure that the brush is completely clean before you start, then gently brush the dust from your paintings.
Use a soft, dry brush to slowly and gently brush the dust from your paintings
Using saliva
Never use water to clean a painting. Water can wash away some paints or change the texture of the canvas. An alternative method, although unorthodox, is to use saliva. This might sound strange, but art restorers in museums use this method as well. Your saliva has a different structure than water and won’t quickly react with the paint. With a cotton swab you can apply it to the surface of the work and gently wipe dirt away.What not to do
There are many alternative, but ineffective, known methods for cleaning your paintings. Some methods involve cleaning products, baby oil and rubbing alcohol. However, you should never use these products on your paintings because they can damage the work. Other suggestions involve the use of food, for example using pieces of bread to pick up the dust from the work or rubbing a raw cut potato over your artwork. Our in-house art experts strongly advise against these methods because they leave a residue and won’t do the artwork any good.
When to hire a professional
Before you start cleaning your artworks, determine whether you can clean the painting yourself of if it's better to hire a professional. If the painting is particularly old, valuable, or delicate, you may want to hire a professional because improper cleaning could damage your artwork. Additionally, if you see paint flaking off while cleaning with a brush, stop immediately. It's important to hire a professional in this case to ensure your painting doesn't become further damaged.
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