How to Clean Your Frame
Spring isn't the only time for cleaning. Here are some dos and don’ts for cleaning your exquisitely framed items any time of the year.
How to Clean your Picture Frames:
Clean frames with just a light dusting to avoid damaging fragile finishes.
Most finishes on your frames are pretty delicate. It’s not recommended to really clean them at all beyond a light dusting. Gold and silver leaf finishes in particular can be scratched or completely rubbed off if you go to town with any kind of spray cleaner. If you must, a slightly damp soft cotton cloth or an old t-shirt can be used to gently wipe them down.
How to Clean Glass:
We put glass care labels on the back of every frame.
Check the back of your framing for our sticker to identify the type of glass and find our recommended care instructions. Most glass can be cleaned with paper towels and any kind of ammonia-free spray cleaner. A soft cotton cloth or old t-shirt works too. Always spray the cleaner on the rag rather than directly on the glass. This makes sure you don’t over-spray with drips getting under the glass or get any spray on the frame itself. Wipe in steady circular motions.
How to Clean Museum Glass:
Always spray the cleaner on the cloth and never directly on the glass!
The magical secret to Museum glass that makes it look invisible is the anti-reflective coating. This coating on the surface is a little more delicate than regular glass and can scratch like eyeglasses if you use something too abrasive. We recommend avoiding paper towels and instead use a soft cotton cloth or a micro-fiber cloth. Any ammonia-free glass cleaner will work. We do carry a great product for purchase in store as well as micro-fiber cloths. If there are still some stubborn streaks or fingerprints left on the glass, using a solution of 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol as a spot treatment should lift off any oil residue.
Non-streak ammonia-free cleaner is available for purchase in store. It works great on all glass, acrylic and mirrors.
How to Clean Acrylic and Plexiglass
When cleaning acrylic, it’s best to use mild soap and water or a product designed for cleaning plastics. Regular glass cleaner is not recommended. Paper towels also can be a little abrasive, so we prefer a soft cotton or micro-fiber cloth. If you should find a little scratch in your acrylic, we suggest the Novus brand of products that can be used to buff out minor scratches. #3 for a deep scratch, #2 for an artificial scratch and #1 for an all-purpose every day polish and shine.
Bring in the Big (air) Guns
Sometimes little bugs can get in your framing. We can get them out!
A light cleaning you can handle on your own but on occasion you might find yourself in need of professional help. We often have customers bring us framed items that have been in the basement or in storage and now have signs of mold or insects. We’ll be happy to open your framing and air blast out anything creepy crawly. With a little refresh of the matting and glass or new backing paper and wire your older treasures can be made good as new.
With proper cleaning, your framed pieces from Artists Frame will last you a lifetime. To pick up the cleaning products we talked about here or frame something new. Contact us or visit one of our locations.