How to Clean a Painting
If your oil and watercolor paintings are covered in dust and dirt, learn how to clean them using common household items.
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Make house cleaning faster and easier with the tips and tricks in these videos.
You Will Need
- A new, soft-bristle brush
- Unsliced doughy bread
Steps
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Never use water or solvent to clean your paintings.
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Step 1
Decide whether you can do it
Decide whether you can clean the painting yourself. If it's extremely valuable or an antique, use a professional.
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Step 2
Use a soft-bristle brush
Gently dust the painting with a soft-bristle brush.
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As you're using the brush, imagine that you're dusting pollen from flower petals.
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Step 3
Use a loaf of bread
Use the inside of the bread to remove any dirt. Break off a piece of bread and gently rub a section of the painting. When that piece is dirty, break off another piece and continue on another section.
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Before you use bread on an oil painting, make sure the paint layers are firmly attached so you don’t rub off any paint.
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Step 4
Brush away crumbs
Brush away any excess bread crumbs.
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Step 5
Hang the picture
Hang or re-hang your painting. Take a moment to enjoy the satisfaction of having successfully restored your artwork.
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In 2006, researchers determined that the model for the Mona Lisa was pregnant or had just given birth.
