Looking after a Painting
Your painting is stretched, framed, and mounted. However, if you think you are finished you are mistaken. Think of the dust that accumulates in your house. Well, that dust is settling on your painting too and it can cause damage if it is not cleaned properly and regularly.
Cleaning an oil painting is fairly straightforward. The first thing you must do is check to see that the painting is in good shape. In other words, make sure there is no cracked or chipped paint. The most common debris on a painting is dust, pet hair, smoke, dander, bacterial growth, and fungus. To remove these from the surface of the painting, simply use a very soft, dry bristle brush such as a baby brush or baby toothbrush.
Sometimes paintings can acquire a sticky, grimy, or oily surface. In this case you will need to use a mild detergent. Dish detergent works well and you can use a soft cotton cloth with a warm solution of water and dish detergent. NEVER wipe the surface. Instead, gently blot it to remove the build up of grime.
Some more inventive methods for cleaning an oil painting include using the low-suction setting on the vacuum and the soft brush attachment. Bread has also been used. Just remember to brush off the crumbs afterward.
Cleaning your painting is a big job and if you are at all in doubt as to the state of your painting or the cleaning procedure, you can always take it to a professional. After all, you want to be able to enjoy your painting for many years to come.
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