Antique Care:
How to care for:
ChinaRugs (Persian and Oriental)
China
- Clean china immediately after use, particularly if it was acidic food.
- Before placing china in the sink, scrape off food particles with a rubber spatula. Removing it with silverware will scratch and leave gray marks on the china.
- When washing china, line bottom of sink, or any dividing sections of the sink, with a rubber mat to prevent chips or scratches.
- Hand-wash china one dish at a time in lukewarm water with a mild detergent and place it on its side to distribute the heat. Never use harsh detergents or abrasives.
- China designed with precious metals or gold trim should not be washed in hot water. The hot water will cause the trim to flake off.
- Do not stack china in high or large amounts when drying, as this can lead to scratches or cracks. Dry each piece individually with a soft cloth and avoid air drying.
- To remove coffee or tea stains, wash immediately in one part hydrogen peroxide and three parts water solution with a drop of clear household ammonia. Rinse in warm water.
- For had to remove stains, sprinkle baking soda, salt, or cream of tartar to a soft cloth and gently rub away the stains.
- Avoid temperature changes. A change in temperature will cause the china to crack.
- When preparing to use china, lift each piece individually and one at a time to prevent scraping pieces together.
Clocks
- Avoid areas where the clocks or barometers are subjected to direct sunlight or temperature changes.
- Do not place clocks on a mantelpiece over a working open fire. The dust can clog the sliding or moving parts of the instrument and affect the delicate mechanisms.
- After a few years the wheel arbor pivots will start grinding into the brass plates, knocking out alignment of wheels that drive various clock functions. It is imperative that the clocks be oiled every three years to avoid damage. Also, have the clock professionally cleaned every 6 years.
- If the clock has not been oiled in over 4 years, stop the clock from running to avoid further damage. Have a professional repair or restore the clock.
- Avoid metal polishes which may seep into the clock and interfere with the mechanism or destroy the patina.
- Be careful when moving clocks. Sudden movement can have dramatic repercussions on the mechanism.
- Longcase clocks should be placed against a wall, especially if standing on thick carpet or uneven surfaces. The clock will sway due to the effect of the pendulum, causing it to possibly tip over.
- Clocks should be placed on even surfaces. Failure to do so may lead pendulum or weights to become out-of-beat.
- If a clock becomes out-of-beat, simply tilt it to one side making sure it is secure and looks straight.
- If serious problems arise, always call a professional for assistance. Repairing it on your own may cause further damage.
Furniture
- Never use Pledge, or any other products containing lemon oil, on antique furniture.
- Never use anything that has a rough texture, as it can easily scratch the furniture. Feather dusters are no exception; broken feathers can mar the surface.
- Use a soft cloth for waxing, such as cheesecloth.
- Always use a quality paste wax to wax the wood. When applying the wax, use a thin, modest amount at a time. Make sure to rub softly and evenly, following the grain of the wood to build up to a deep, layered finish. This procedure should be done at least once a year, and it will protect and seal the wood underneath.
- If the furniture contains any type of metal or hardware, do not polish it with a metal-cleaning product. Instead, dust it several times a year. Using any type of product risks damaging the wood underneath. If the hardware is badly tarnished, carefully remove it, polish it with a good polish designed specifically for the metal, and then carefully place it back in its assigned space.
- Small objects and accessories should be dusted with a soft, dry brush. Avoid a dust rag since loose threads can attach to pieces of the furniture, pulling them off.
- If a piece of inlay or veneer comes loose when waxing, be sure to save it. These pieces are irreplaceable and it may be impossible to find substitutes. In the event pieces come loose, take it to a wood or furniture expert to repair. Do not attempt to repair or glue it yourself.
- If your home is particularly dry during the winter season, use a humidifier. Try to avoid extreme temperature changes and routinely check furniture to verify it is not dry or damp, as changes in temperature can crack, split, swell, warp or shrink antique furniture.
- Occasionally check the back of furniture for signs of mold or mildew. If mold or mildew is found, use a soft cloth diluted with water and household bleach (10 parts water to 1 part bleach).
- Do not attempt to restore or repair stains, spills or severe scratches on furniture. Notify a furniture or wood restorer to asses the damages to be repaired.
Jewelry
- Never steam-clean or put antique jewelry into an ultrasonic cleaning machine. A steam cleaner is too harsh and will remove the patina. An ultrasonic cleaning machine works on vibration and will destroy the color of gems or stones or cause them to crack.
- To clean dust, dip a q-tip into a small amount of soapy water and gently clean your jewelry.
- After cleaning jewelry, leave it out for at least an hour to dry. Storing them while they are not completely dry creates moisture in the pouch, which deteriorates jewelry.
- Try to avoid constant sunlight exposure to stones such as topaz or turquoise, opals, pearls and ivory. Excessive heat and sunlight can cause discoloration, loss of luster, or cracks.
- Avoid water contact with stones in a closed setting. The water may lodge behind stones and cause erosion.
- Pearls that come into contact with water will lose luster and turn yellow in color.
- Avoid storing different types of jewelry together. Certain stones, gems, or diamonds may become chipped or scratched when rubbed against each other.
- Wrap each piece of jewelry individually in its own acid free paper or in a soft pure cotton or linen cloth to prevent tangling or damage.
- Soft, silk zip pouches ensure a dust-free environment.
- Jewelry repairs are best left to professional antique jewelers.
Rugs
- Try to avoid placing rugs in areas of direct sunlight. Excessive sunlight over a period of time can result in premature fading. If this is unavoidable, frequently rotate the rug to equalize sunlight exposure.
- Use a carpet sweeper or brush to clean off dirt.
- Do not forcefully beat, shake or scrub rugs to clean.
- Rugs placed in areas of heavy traffic should be vacuumed at least once a week. Vacuum at a low level suction and never in the direction against the nap.
- To clean a stain or spill, use soap and a wet cloth and gently clean the stain similar to the way you would clean a stain from a shirt.
- It is best to shift the legs of heavy furniture by a couple inches every few months to prevent permanent indentions in the rug's pile.
- Use synthetic fiber padding with rubber backing to keep the rug from mowing or wrinkling.
- The best way to store rugs is to roll them up tightly, starting the roll from the side that is against the direction of the pile. Wrap the rug in polythene with some moth balls in a dry area.
- Do not tie the rope too tight. Tying it too tight will require the use of scissors or a knife, which if not done carefully may cut into the rug.
- Damage to a rug's knotting or pile should be repaired by a professional. Repairing loose selvages or fringes can be sewn back together and done at home by using thread the same color as the material of the rug.
Silver
- When purchasing a polish for silverware, purchase a polish that is described as a long-term polish.
- Avoid using tarnish "dips" or "rinses." Dips tend to leave a yellow residue on silver.
- Be sure to keep a supply of polishing cloths, as each clean spot on the cloth is reserved for each piece of silver.
- Each piece of silver should be cleaned carefully, individually and patiently.
- Wear white cotton gloves when polishing silver. Polishing silver with bare hands can lead to scratches and oils from the human skin and nails that can tarnish the silverware.
- To polish silver serving pieces, use hot soapy water. While the silver is still warm, use a moistened sponge to spread the polish over the silver. Rinse with hot water and dry thoroughly before moving on to the next piece.
- Avoid air drying silverware or drying them all at once, as it will leave water stains. Dry with a soft cotton, flour-sack towel to remove all water.
- Store silver in special flannel bags infused with particles of silver. These bags can be found in jewelry or department stores in the silver or china section. They are usually brown and sold under the name "Pacific Silvercloth." Avoid getting these bags wet or damp, as they can lose the tarnish resistance.
- Avoid contact with salt. Salt can easily tarnish silver. In the event it comes in contact with salt, wash the silver immediately after use.
- Damaged, broken, bent, or missing silver can be repaired, replated, or restored by a silver specialist.