Welcome to ukantiquesearch - search for antique dealers in YOUR area
Antique Care
Whether you’re trying to get your antiques in good order to put them on display, you’re preparing to sell them, or you just want to clean them before you put them safely away, then read on for our useful guide to caring for antique furniture, antique jewellery, collectable toys, and silverware.
Caring for antique jewellery
Whatever material your antique jewellery is made from, you should begin the cleaning process by carefully brushing it with a soft, clean, small paintbrush. If the precious stones, such as diamonds or rubies, have become dirty then it may be necessary to clean the item a little more aggressively. First you should check that the settings are secure, and how they are set because if they are glued into place then you should not use any form of liquid to clean the stone as this may loosen the setting.
If you live in an area where there is hard water then clean your jewellery with distilled water because hard water can leave behind a chalky residue. Once you have cleaned the item, dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth, and always make sure you do the cleaning in an area where you can easily find any piece that may become detached during the process.
Caring for antique furniture
Looking after your antique furniture and handling it correctly is essential for keeping its value and preserving it for future generations to enjoy. Perhaps the best way to protect the finish of your antique chair, table, cabinet, or other piece of antique furniture is to polish it with a good quality beeswax polish once or twice a year. The beeswax should be applied sparingly with a soft cloth and then the furniture should be polished with a lint-free cloth. Please remember that a wonderful shine is created from rubbing rather than lots of wax. If your antique furniture needs repairing then you should seek the help of a qualified furniture conservator because this is a difficult and specialised area of work.
Caring for silverware
If you have antique silverware to keep clean then you will find various silver polishes on the market that can be used with a soft cloth. When cleaning decorated areas it is best to use small make-up brushes or eye shadow swabs, while toothbrushes are best avoided as they can scratch the surface. If you need to wash silverware do it quickly in lukewarm soapy water, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Finally, if you are putting your silverware in storage wrap it in an anti-tarnish cloth to protect it from pollutants and scratches.
Caring for collectable toys
If you have collectable toys then keep them clean and dust-free by using a soft brush. In most cases this will be all you need to do but if more work is required seek the help of a qualified toy conservator because re-painting or cleaning the toy with water is a very delicate process, and you can do more harm than good if you don’t know what you’re doing.
