How to Clean Delicate Household Objects

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Decorative objects add something unusual to look at in a home and turn a house into an inviting home. Few people consider in advance how much effort goes into cleaning some of these delicate objects and keeping objects looking new. Follow the steps to learn how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Keep Candlesticks Looking Bright

Step 1

Use the balls of fingers to gently push hardened wax drippings off a candlestick. Cover a fingernail with a thin cloth to prevent scratching the surface for individual droplets.
Step 2

Soften wax for removal if the wax refuses to move. Dip the candlestick in warm water. Blow warm air from a hair dryer to soften wax on a candlestick that cannot be immersed.
Step 3

Put silver candlesticks that have wax drippings into the freezer first to clean them. Peel the wax off easily after the wax freezes.
Step 4

Treat yellowing ivory with a salt and lemon mixture. Halve a lemon and dip it in salt. Rub the lemon over the ivory and let dry. Wipe the object with cloth and buff it to get a bright finish.

Make Chandeliers Shine

Step 1

Vacuum chandeliers meticulously, regularly and before cleaning them.
Step 2

Mix 3/4 cup water and 1/4 cup denatured alcohol in a drinking glass.
Step 3

Use plastic or newspaper over the floor or table below the chandelier. Raise a ladder to reach the pendants.
Step 4

Soak the crystals in the drinking glass for a few seconds. Swish the crystals back and forth. Allow them to air dry.

Spruce Up Fabric Flowers

Step 1

Realize that some flowers are washable but many are not. Set a vacuum cleaner at low suction and use it to remove dust.
Step 2

Use a sponge to wipe silk flowers.
Step 3

Make a mild solution of dish washing detergent. Dip washable flowers into the solution only after other means fail. Use a hair dryer to dry flowers or hang them by their stems.
Step 4

Blow steam from an iron or a tea kettle to perk up slightly wilted flowers.
Step 5

Freshen sturdy fabric flowers by shaking them in a paper bag with cornmeal, dry cut oats or salt.

Take Care of Paintings

Step 1

Use the brush attachment regularly to vacuum the painting, glass and frame.
Step 2

Squirt furniture polish on some cloth. Apply the polish carefully to the frame only.
Step 3

Dampen a rag with turpentine. Wipe a tarnished gilt frame with the rag to make it shine again.

Clean Alabaster

Step 1

Use a soft, untreated cloth to dust alabaster frequently.
Step 2

Clean alabaster with a commercial product that cleans marble.
Step 3

Clean alabaster objects with borax because it is gentle enough to not scratch the surface. Moisten a cloth and dip it into a little dry borax. Rub the cloth on the object. Rinse the object with warm water. Use a soft cloth to buff dry. Use the same method to clean marble.

Maintain Bone and Ivory

Step 1

Dust frequently with a soft cloth or the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
Step 2

Wash ivory and bone objects in mild soap suds. Rinse them and buff dry.
Step 3

Keep ivory objects in a well-lit area because continuous darkness causes ivory to turn yellow.