Things You'll Need:
- Emulsion or conservation liquid
- Soft brush
- Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
- Dish washing soap and water
- Soft bread
- Potato (1)
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Step 1
Clean off soluble varnishes with hot water. Rub a small portion of the painting with water. If it becomes clammy, then the varnish is soluble. Dip a sponge in boiling water and go over the painting, using increasingly cooler water as the varnish softens. Continue sponging until the varnish is gone.
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Step 2
Use emulsion or conservation liquid to remove old varnish. Apply a small amount of emulsion or conservation liquid to a cotton ball and dab lightly on a hidden portion of the painting. If there are no adverse effects after a month then repeat this action all over the painting.
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Step 3
Remove coated dirt by washing with warm water and a sponge. Cover the painting with distilled brandy, also known as "spirit of wine." Let the painting sit for 10 minutes and then wash off the brandy. Repeat this process until the varnish is gone.
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Step 4
Wash spots with warm water and then dry with a cotton cloth. Apply a small amount of warm olive oil to the spot and rub with your finger to loosen the dirt. Wipe the oil off when it becomes dirty and apply more. Repeat this process until the spot disappears.
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Step 5
Use a soft brush. Some paintings develop layers of dust from such things as pet dander, pet hair, dust, and smoke. Use a brush with very soft bristles to gently brush the surface.
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Step 6
Use a vacuum cleaner. Attach a brush to the nozzle and use this to remove dust from oil paintings. This is especially useful for raised relief paintings.
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Step 7
Use a mild detergent. Dip a clean cotton cloth in a light solution of dishwashing soap and warm water and then dab lightly on the painting. The cloth should not be so wet that it drips water onto the painting. Dip a second cloth in warm water and then dab the painting to remove all traces of detergent.
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Step 8
Try other methods: Rub balls of soft white bread across the painting to remove dust and then dust the breadcrumbs off with a brush. Cut a potato in half and rub it across the painting to remove dirt. Blot the painting with a damp cloth afterwards.
