How to Clean Lithograph Prints

Practice using these techniques along the edges of the lithograph to avoid damaging the image.

Lithographs are prints of a work. This process allows the artist to create exact replicas of the same piece of work, and involves using chemical washes, oil based inks and a press. The value of the lithograph depends on the condition and appearance of the lithograph. As the print ages, stains and other damage to the lithograph may occur. You should clean a lithograph carefully to avoid damaging the print. Use a professional if the damage is severe or you are uncertain of completing the task yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Bread
• Food processor
• Water
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Bleach
• Blotting paper
• Rubbing alcohol
• Soft bristled brush

Instructions

Dry Cleaning Method

1. Lay piece of white bread out in the open for a day or two. This will allow the bread to go stale and remove much of the moisture present in the bread.

2. Break the bread down into bread crumbs using the food processor.

3. Apply the bread crumbs evenly over the lithograph, as they will capture any moisture present on the lithograph and the paper. Use this process to remove smoke and dust stains that turn the paper gray.

4. Brush the bread crumbs over the lithograph after 24 hours. Examine the lithograph to see if the stains have been removed. If they have not, you can repeat the process or use a wet cleaning method.

Wet Cleaning Method

1. Mix one part water to one part hydrogen peroxide until you fill a container with at least half an inch of solution. Add two or three drops of bleach to the solution.

2. Submerge the lithograph print in the bleach bath for a few minutes.

3. Rinse the lithograph with water over a period of 24 hours, repeatedly rinsing and replacing water to ensure all of the bleach solution is out of the paper. If the bleach is not completely removed, it can damage and destroy the paper of the print.

4. Dry the lithograph between two pieces of blotting paper and press the lithograph. The press can be books to keep the lithograph paper from curling during the drying process.

Removing Oil Stains

1. Place the lithograph between two pieces of blotting paper to absorb liquids during the cleaning process and prevent the lithograph from becoming overly soaked.

2. Dip a soft bristled brush into rubbing alcohol.

3. Rub the oil and grease stains gently with the brush until the oil stains begin to loosen. Rinse with water to remove excess alcohol.

4. Dry the piece between two additional sheets of blotting paper and books to maintain the shape of the lithograph.

Tips & Warnings

• The bleach solution wet cleaning method may remove color from the lithograph depending on the inks used in the process. The wet cleaning process may best be suited to a professional restorer, as he has access to additional solvents which can prevent this from happening.

References

• Monoprints: Prints
• Medina Arts: Cleaning and Conservation