10 Tips for Cleaning Household Ornaments
Household ornaments are filled with memories and meaning. A light cleaning can help preserve ornaments and enhance their beauty for years to come. Always study the condition of an ornament before cleaning it. Some ornaments may have suffered a lot of wear and tear and may not be fit for cleaning. If you’re unsure as to whether an ornament will survive a cleaning, lightly brush it with a feather duster or simply set it aside.
1. Always wear latex or soft cotton gloves when cleaning ornaments, as the natural oils of your hands can damage paint and intricate details. This will also help to avoid leaving fingerprints on glass items.
2. Never submerge any household ornaments in water; ornaments — especially those made of porcelain — may collect water, causing them to mildew.
3. Vintage ornaments often are decorated with mica or water-soluble paint; never use water to clean these. Instead, carefully remove excess grime with a soft cloth, then dust lightly with a feather duster.
4. For pieces with a lot of small detail, use a soft-bristled brush or a feather duster to clean out all of the nooks and crannies. Be careful not to bump any delicate pieces that may dislodge if touched.
5. Water and detergents can remove paint from ornaments. If a piece requires extensive cleaning, test a small spot of the ornament with a little bit of water before wiping down the whole piece.
6. Never use paper towels to clean ornaments. Paper towels have a coarse texture and can mar the surface of delicate ornaments. Always use a soft cloth or jewelry-cleaning cloth.
7. To prevent paper and cardboard surfaces from warping, wipe only small sections at a time with a slightly damp cloth. Let those sections dry before cleaning the rest of the ornament.
8. Glass and plastic baubles may only require a light dusting before being stored. Glass ornaments with no decoration on the outside can be gently cleaned with a glass cleaner. If they are colored, clean only a small part of the ornament first to make sure the color is from the glass and not from paint.
9. Clean ornaments that contain glitter using a feather duster. Don’t attempt to clean glitter-coated ornaments if too much glitter falls off.
10. Use a soft cloth or jewelry-cleaning cloth to gently rub dust and grime off of metal and crystal. Gold-plated and silver ornaments should be cleaned using a gentle circular motion. Special polishing creams are available at antique stores for silver, brass, copper, and bronze. Always do a spot test before cleaning the whole ornament.
When storing, wrap each ornament separately in bubble wrap, acid-free tissue paper, or leftover wrapping paper. Use a sectioned box for storage, or place no more than two layers of ornaments into several smaller boxes. Make sure all containers are well-labeled before putting them away for storage. Never store anything on top of ornament boxes. Always store your household ornaments in a cool, dry place. If possible, avoid storing them in the attic, as attics collect heat, which may damage some of your more delicate ornaments.
This guest article is from George Baker, a writer for a UK based company supplying vacuum cleaner bags, like the Bosch vacuum bags, to vacuum users across Britain.
