How to Clean a Spring-Wound Clock

A clock should be cleaned frequently.

Dust, when allowed to accumulate, turns into grime that hides the luster of your spring-wound clock’s finish. Dust the clock weekly and give it a thorough cleaning once a month. Regular cleaning not only keeps it looking good but helps to prevent tiny “creepy-crawlies” from taking up residence within its interior. You likely already have the cleaning supplies you need on hand.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Container
• White vinegar
• Water
• 2 glass jars with screw lids
• Rags
• Scissors
• Paper towels
• Pressurized air

Instructions

1. Blend 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice in a container. When thoroughly mixed, the two ingredients blend to form furniture polish.

2. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of water into a jar to create a glass cleaning solution.

3. Cut a rag to about an 8-inch square and fold it in half. Shake the jar of oil and lemon juice and dip the rag into the solution -- just enough to saturate the material. Rub the surface of the clock in the same direction as the grain. Begin on a top side of the clock and work your way down the side, across the front and up the other side, finishing with the top.

4. Fold a clean rag to fit the palm of your hand and buff the clock. Apply slight pressure to the rag and buff briskly to enhance the luster of the clock case.

5. Fold a paper towel several times to form a small applicator pad. Shake the jar containing vinegar and water and drizzle a few drops on the pad. Clean the inside of the glass with the solution and wipe dry with another paper towel. Repeat the process on the outside of the glass.

6. Open the door on the back of the clock to expose the inner workings, or gears, of the clock. Aim a can of pressurized air at the gears and fire a short burst of air in their direction. Repeat the process one more time.The blasts of air remove dust and dirt particles that might have accumulated within the clock works.

Tips & Warnings

• Set the clock on a flat surface for cleaning and, if equipped, always remove the pendulum.

• Don't store furniture polish in direct sunlight.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners
• Brown University: Historic Clocks
• University of California: Canned Air Duster

Resources

• University of Colorado: Clocks and Watches