How To Clean A Painting

So, you’ve gone ahead and bought a few paintings, and now you’re looking to find out how to protect your art.

How do you make sure that your art pieces stay in pristine condition? Well, the answer is to clean them from time to time, when they start to appear grimy.

If you’re worried about unnecessarily damaging a painting during the cleaning process, then don’t be; this post was written with you in mind. This article will shed some light on the best way to clean different types of paintings and reduce the risk of damage to a minimum. So, let’s get into it!

How to Clean a Painting at Home?

You don’t always need professional help to clean the art pieces lying around in your house. Sometimes an average joe with a little bit of cautiousness and some readily available household items can do as good a job as any professional. 

Even if you don’t feel comfortable doing intense cleaning at home, you should regularly dust your paintings and frames with a soft feather duster. This method will help prevent the build-up of dust and dirt that may require professional cleaning down the line.

How Do You Clean a Painting Without Damaging It?

Perhaps the safest way to clean a painting is by using a dry and soft brush to dust the image lightly. Ensure there is no paint residue or moisture on the brush’s bristles before swiping away at it. The gentle soft swiping motion ensures to keep the painting safe and remove any dust or soil off the surface of the painting.

How to Clean a Painting on Canvas?

The most convenient and effective way to clean paintings on canvas is to utilize a white cotton cloth soaked in olive oil-based soap water. This method is highly effective in getting most if not all of the grime and dirt off the artwork. Always be extra careful when working with thick impasto; use Q-tips instead to ensure you don’t break the hardened paint. If you have a collection of canvas paintings that are very old or valuable, it’s best to leave this to a professional art cleaner.

How to Clean a Painting on Wood?

Cleaning paintings on wood, such as a painting on a wooden cabinet or such, can be really easy and doesn’t need too much maintenance. For cleaning on these surfaces, make a mixture of warm water and dish soap and soak a microfibre cloth in it. 

Then simply wipe down the surface with the cloth and watch the magic happen. Additionally, you can also opt for a vinegar or ammonia alternative as well.

How to Clean a Painting Print

Print paintings are an excellent way for art enthusiasts to own and enjoy works of art they love at a budget-friendly price. You can find many print paintings for sale online, and if you already own a few that need cleaning, follow the steps below. 

Remove the print painting from the wall and gently tap on the back of the painting to remove accumulated dust on the surface. Then use a clean cloth soaked in warm water to wipe the surface of the artwork without applying too much pressure. Place one of your hands underneath the painting for support if needed.

How to Clean a Painting on Board

There is a simple cleaning solution available for your paintings on board that requires loaf bread and soft brushes. This may sound unusual, but it really works – just follow these steps!

1. Use a soft brush to dust off any dirt present on the surface of your painting. Never use paper towels for this step, as they can leave behind numerous tiny pieces when the paint has texture.
2. Use a big unsliced loaf of baked bread, cut it and use the soft insides to dab on the painting. Keep pressing the bread on the surface of the picture until it is soiled with dirt. This method should remove all the dirt and grime present in the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies without risk of damage to the painting. 
3. Use the soft brush to dust off the remaining bread crumbs.

Original paintings can be an excellent investment – as long as you keep them clean and in good condition. You can find fine art paintings for sale in Eden art galleries, Eden online art gallery, and private collections worldwide.