After spending time and money acquiring special wall decor for your home or office, you’ll want to be sure it stays in the best condition possible. Proper Care And Maintenance Of Wall Art will keep it looking vibrant and prevent harm over time.

In this comprehensive Nousdecor guide, I’ll share my tips as a seasoned wall decor collector for keeping your prized pieces looking pristine.

Key Takeaways for Artwork Care And Maintenance Of Wall Art

  • Use appropriate cleaning methods for different wall decor materials like still-life-canvas, metal, photography, etc. Avoid abrasives or excess moisture.
  • Protect wall decor from dust buildup, direct sunshine, temperature swings and high humidity.
  • Store wall decor properly in climate-controlled conditions, wrapped in protective materials if needed.
  • Transport wall decor securely by removing pieces from frames/mounts, using sturdy wrapping and padding.
  • Address common issues like mildew, scratches or stains right away to prevent permanent damage.
  • Consider hiring a professional art restorer for valuable or delicate pieces needing extensive cleaning or repairs.

With the right maintenance and care, your wall decor will stay vibrant and undamaged for many years of enjoyment. Read on for all my top tips and advice!

Artwork Care And Maintenance Of Wall Art
A Complete Artwork Care And Maintenance Of Wall Art Guide

Cleaning Wall Decor From Canvas Frames to Other Prints

Keeping wall decor free of dust, dirt and other grime through regular gentle cleaning is essential for maintaining its appearance and condition from Niche Wall Art Markets.

Here are my best practices for safely cleaning various wall decor materials:

Canvas-Paintings

  • Use a soft dry cloth or specialized microfiber duster to remove loose dust and dirt.
  • For deeper cleaning, dip a clean rag in distilled water or mild dish soap and wring thoroughly. Gently wipe the still-life-canvas surface without scrubbing.
  • Avoid using commercial cleaners, alcohols, acetones or other harsh chemicals on still-life-canvas.
  • Let still-life-canvas air dry completely after wiping down before re-hanging.

Photography and Paper Prints

  • Carefully use a soft brush or compressed air canister to remove dust from photography prints.
    Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water to spot clean smudges. Don’t rub the photograph surface.
  • Keep paper prints out of direct sunshine to prevent fading. Store prints in archival sleeves like how pop culture influences wall decor.

Metal Wall Decor

  • Wipe metal wall decor gently with a microfiber cloth dampened slightly with warm water for your immersive wall installations for interactive engagement.
  • For tarnished brass or copper art, use a specialty metal cleaner and rub gently with a soft cloth.
  • Avoid harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia that can harm metal finishes.

Framed Art

  • Use microfiber cloths lightly dampened with glass cleaner to wipe frames and glass. Avoid wetting the art.
  • To clean acrylic glazing, use acrylic polish and a nonabrasive acrylic cleaning cloth.
  • Feather dust framed art frequently using a specialty duster.

Avoiding Cleaning Mistakes

  • Never use multipurpose cleaners, scouring pads, sponges or rough cloths on fine art.
  • Don’t allow moisture or cleaners to contact still-life-canvas or paper art surfaces.
  • Prevent pooled moisture or soap from seeping under art glass or acrylic glazing.
  • Don’t scrub finishes like gold leaf that can easily wear down with friction.
  • Avoid exposing art to rapid temperature and humidity fluctuations from direct sun, heating vents, etc.
Avoiding Cleaning Mistakes
Avoiding Cleaning Mistakes

Protecting Wall Decor From Dust and Sunlight Damages

In addition to cleaning, taking preventative measures to protect wall decor from dust, sunshine, humidity and other environmental factors is key for preservation.

Dust Protection

  • Dust art frequently using specialty microfiber dusters or feather dusters.
  • Place art away from air vents or frequently open doors where dust enters.
  • Use air purifiers in rooms with extensive wall decor to reduce airborne dust particles.

Sunlight/ UV Protection

  • Hang wall decor out of direct sunshine to prevent fading, especially paper, photos, watercolors.
  • Invest in UV filtering film or acrylic rather than standard glass for framing.
  • Limit sunshine exposure using window blinds/curtains or display art on walls opposite windows.

Humidity Protection

  • Ideal humidity level for wall decor is 40-60%. Use dehumidifiers/humidifiers to maintain range.
  • Avoid basements, bathrooms and kitchens where humidity may exceed recommended levels.
  • If hanging art in an area prone to humidity fluctuations, seal and/or frame using conservation materials.

Storing Wall Art Maintenance

When wall decor needs to be temporarily stored during moves or redecorating, proper storage is vital to preventing damage.

Artwork Storage Tips

  • Store flat art like prints or posters horizontally in flat files or archival boxes.
  • For stretched still-life-canvas paintings, keep vertically on edge and evenly support the sides.
  • Photographs should be stored vertically in acid-free sleeves or archival boxes.
  • Use acid-free tissue between artworks to prevent contact damage.
  • Maintain climate control between 60-75°F and 40-60% humidity.

Frame Storage

  • Remove artwork from frames for separate storage using archival materials.
  • Disassemble frames and wrap components like matting in acid-free tissue.
  • Cushion and wrap frames in bubble wrap or blankets to prevent scratches.
  • Keep frames horizontally and evenly support both sides to prevent warping.
Frame Storage
Frame Storage

Transporting Wall Decor

When moving art or taking it off display, special care must be taken to prevent harm in transit with all the strategic use of wall art in businesses.

Transportation Best Practices

  • Fully wrap canvas and framed art individually in bubble wrap or soft blankets.
  • Use thick cardboard corner protectors on the edges and sides before wrapping.
  • Pack-wrapped art between layers of foam or cardboard sheets in a hard case.
  • Transport canvas paintings vertically and keep delicate materials horizontal.
  • Avoid exposing art to temperature extremes inside hot/cold vehicles.
  • Reframe and rehang art using a professional installer for proper alignment.

Shipping Artwork

  • Work with a fine art shipping company experienced in packing and crating.
  • Request climate controlled transport and monitoring.
    Insure artwork for full value in case of incidents.
  • Unpack shipped items carefully inspecting for any harm immediately.

Fixing Common Wall Decor Problems

Even well maintained artistic wall decorations for your home may occasionally encounter issues that require action to fix and restore it.

Mold/Mildew

  • Address moisture issues allowing mold growth – leaks, humidity, condensation, etc.
  • Gently wipe mold with a cloth dampened lightly with distilled water and a few drops of mild dish soap.
  • For more severe mold, use protective gear to clean with diluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide solutions.
  • Allow art to fully air dry after wiping down mold.

Scratches and Tears

  • Use archival material like thin Japanese paper and wheat starch paste to mend minor tears on canvas or paper.
  • Carefully sand and touch up scratches on wood frames using matching wood polish.
  • Severe scratches or gouges may require professional restoration services.

Stain Removal

  • Attempt to identify stain material – oil, food, dirt, etc. Use appropriate stain remover.
  • Gently dab stains on canvas paintings using cotton swabs dampened with stain remover. Don’t oversaturate.
  • For stains behind glass/acrylic, remove frame and clean both sides following moisture precautions.
  • Severe stains often cannot be fully removed – call a professional.
Stain Removal
Stain Removal

Professional Cleaning Service for Art Restoration

For extremely valuable or intricate wall decor, hiring a professional art restorer or conservator may be warranted to properly clean, repair damage or restore aging finishes. Here we have a few factors for your to consider:

When To Call A Professional

  • Severe mold/mildew damage requiring extensive cleaning.
  • Major structural harm – large tears, holes, cracked/warped frames.
  • Fading, yellowing, darkening or other deterioration of materials.
  • Art with elaborate finishes like gold leaf, embellishments needing special care.
  • Extremely dirty, neglected art requiring deep cleaning.
  • Art displayed outdoors needing weather damage repairs.

What To Expect

  • Thorough examination and documentation of the art’s condition.
  • Testing cleaning methods on small sections first.
  • Making minimal interventions needed for structural repairs and cleaning.
  • Specialized treatments like relining canvas, rebacking paper, etc.
  • Applying conserved finishes or patinas.
  • Strict climate control and light levels during restoration.
  • Written treatment report provided detailing work done.
  • Follow up monitoring and maintenance recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dust accumulates quickly, so dusting art once a week is a good goal. Areas with more dust may need more frequent dusting.

Use a very lightly damp soft cloth then follow with a dry cloth to clean oil paint. Avoid excess moisture that could damage the canvas over time.

Acrylic filters UV light while glass doesn’t, so acrylic is better for UV protection. Glass can shatter while acrylic is more shatter resistant.

Wipe very gently with a slightly damp, soft cloth with a small amount of mild detergent. Thoroughly dry canvas afterward. Severe mold may require professional cleaning.

Ideally between 60-75°F is best for preserving wall decor materials. Avoid excess heat, cold, or humidity fluctuations.

Conclusion

Caring for your wall decor by keeping surfaces clean, preventing damage from environmental factors, and properly handling the pieces will maintain their beauty over years of use. Remember to be gentle, use appropriate methods for each material, and address any issues promptly.

With the right maintenance and care, you can confidently display your wall decor collection knowing it will stay vibrant and protected.

Interior Designer

Australian-born Mark Cutler helms one of the Robb Report’s “Top 40” firms in the country and is a leading proponent of interior design as a form of portraiture. His collaborative approach and context-driven studio, Mark Cutler Design, masterfully blends the fundamentals of architecture and interior design to bring to life personal and elegant reflections of his clients both residential and commercial.

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