Caring For Your Antiques

Keeping your prized possessions in top shape through proper storageChances are if you're reading this, you've accumulated a few collections over time. Like me, you may not have intended to have quite as many as you do, but there they are in your home.Now that you own them, the task of conservation falls on your shoulders. Although most people don't have the time and resources to learn how to care for their heirlooms in the same fashion as a museum would, there are some basic things to consider for all collections, whether made from paper, metal, glass or ceramic materials.For instance, light can harm most any collectible, especially organic materials like wood, paper and textiles. In addition to fading colors in prints and fabrics, harsh light can dry out many materials and can speed up chemical reactions that occur naturally over time. http://www.antiquesinbellbuckle.com/index.htm

Caring For Your Antiques: Assemble a Cleaning Kit

To assemble a collectibles cleaning kit, consider rounding up the following items: soft bristled brushes, cans of moisture free compressed air, cotton swabs, distilled water and isopropyl alcohol.Brushes can often be found when you're out foraging for garage sale finds. Artist's brushes, shaving brushes and soft paintbrushes are all great for dusting away loose particles.Canned air can be purchased at office supply stores and works well for cleaning items to delicate to brush.When an item needs to be wet cleaned, if dry cleaning methods haven't quite done the trick, using distilled water avoids the chemical and minerals in tap water that can stain some materials. Isopropyl alcohol often comes in handy for cleaning many ceramics and porcelain pieces with a glazed finish.Be careful though! Alcohol can take the finish off of wood and remove painting on glass. Also be careful when using detergents, since anything with bleach can be damaging to fragile items such as faux pearls adorning vintage clothing.You'll find links to more specific information about caring for your collections in the "Related Resources" section above. Remember, if you're good to your antiques and they'll be good to you.http://www.antiquesinbellbuckle.com/index.htm