How to Clean Rare Porcelain Figurines
Regular cleaning of your rare porcelain figurines not improves their appearance, but can increase their value. It may seem like an intimidating task, but if you are careful and gentle, a periodic cleaning of your figurines will keep them beautiful for generations to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Gentle dusting tool
- Washcloth
- Paper towels
- Porcelain-safe cleaning solution
Instructions
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Dust your rare porcelain figurine collection regularly by blowing or brushing dust off gently. Make sure that the dusting tool that you choose is gentle and lightweight, such as a feather duster, chamois or soft-bristled paint brush. Brushes tend to work best for removing dust particles from fine crevices and creases.
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Hand wash fine porcelain using a mild soap when necessary. Run the figurine under warm water, gently rub stained areas with a soft cloth, and rinse. Place the figurines on a paper towel and allow them to air dry. Be sure to protect the area with towels or rubber mats, just in case one happens to slip and fall.
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Scrub rare porcelain figurines only if there are tough stains, and then only on the stained area with a damp washcloth. For the toughest stains, the figurines may be submerged in warm water for a few seconds, but use extreme care as the delicate surfaces can be easily damaged by scrubbing. If the stain is not easily removed, ask yourself if it is worth the risk.
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Use cleaning solutions with extreme caution. Read the label of the product carefully, to determine whether it can be safely used to clean porcelain. Test a small, inconspicuous section of the figurine first and always follow the directions on the package.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your collection in a curio cabinet or behind glass where it won't collect a lot of dust.
Never use common cleaning supplies such as scrubbing pads or toothbrushes as they can easily damage the porecelain's delicate enamel.
While china tableware is dishwasher safe, never place rare porcelain figurines in the dishwasher, as they are far more delicate than china.
