Visit any art museum and you will discover paintings that are centuries old. They have been well cared for through proper cleaning, appropriate lighting levels, and temperature and humidity control. You do not have to live in a museum to own fine works of art that will remain in superb condition and last for years. Paintings naturally change in time, but the following easy steps will help you care for your paintings and keep them looking like new for many years to come.

Apply a backing board in order to stretch canvas painted works of art. Stretch canvas paintings are generally open in the back and the opening can cause works of art to be affected by the environment; they may age, crack and flake more rapidly. Care for a painted work of art by having a backing board professionally attached to the frame. The backing board works to prevent the infiltration of dirt, dust, air and debris. The back of a painting does not require ventilation, and it is best protected if it is completely sealed.

Hang securely to prevent damage. One of the most common ways in which painted works of art are damaged is through improper hanging. A hanger or nail in a wall can give way, and a painting that is not properly outfitted with a wire hanger can fall to the floor. Maintain paintings prior to hanging by always using double-braided wire instead of other types of hangers. In addition, securely attach the braided wire to the frame around the painting rather than the frame the canvas is stretched around. Instead of ordinary nails, hang painted works of art on mounting hooks that are anchored into the wall and can hold more than the weight of the framed painting. When properly equipped with hardware and hung on secure hooks, painted and framed art work will never fall off walls and become irreparably damaged.

Take care by maintaining proper humidity. Humidity fluctuations can damage painted works of art and wood frames. Maintaining low humidity and providing appropriate maintenance to the painting is important. Fifty percent humidity is ideal for displaying and storing paintings. Most of all, avoid suddenly changing the level of humidity. Surprisingly, great fluctuations in humidity are far more damaging than storing paintings in less than ideal humid locations.

Control all types of lighting. Natural as well as artificial lighting can be hot and will damage paintings and frames. Maintain care by keeping paintings away from sunny windows or bright sources of artificial light. Also, do not use wall-mounted lights typically used for displaying and highlighting paintings. The bulbs become hot, and when placed too close to works of art or even the frames, paintings can become extremely dry and eventually destroyed. Instead of using potentially dangerous lighting, take care by opting for recessed lighting, adjustable lighting, indirect natural light, or tungsten lamps.

Control temperature. When striving to maintain appropriate care through humidity and light control, it is also important to maintain temperatures that are idyllic for storing and displaying painted works of art. As a rule, if the temperature is comfortable for people, it is ideal for displaying and storing painted works of art.

Keep people from smoking around the painting and avoid spray products in the area where it is displayed. Smoke will discolor paintings and leave them coated in a layer of fine soot. Fireplaces and other sources of smoke can also damage and soil paintings. Forbid cigarette smoking in the home or building, and do not display paintings near a fireplace or another source of smoke that can cause a coating or film and discolor the work of art. In addition, do not spray air freshener or other products around or near paintings.

Care for works of art by preventing dust build-up. Just like other works of art, paintings require occasional dusting, but take care not to use items that can inadvertently scratch or flake away paint. Use a microfiber cloth or a brush with very soft bristles. A natural sable brush is ideal to care for and clean dust from the surface of paintings as well as the nooks and crannies of delicate frames.

Dirty paintings should be cleaned with the utmost care. If paintings at least six months old become soiled and a light dusting is insufficient, use a microfiber cloth dampened with a mixture of distilled water and a small amount of very mild detergent to clean the surface. Using a clean microfiber cloth or fabric that is equally as soft, take care by ringing out the fabric after dipping it in clean distilled water, and softly remove the detergent and dirt. Allow the surface to air-dry to avoid putting undue pressure on the canvas. This type of care should only be used if a painting is truly dirty.

With proper care, the colors in paintings will remain true. In addition, when stored in an ideal environment, paintings will remain in excellent condition. With the appropriate maintenance museum quality painted works of art can become heirloom treasures that are passed down from generation to generation while still looking as great as they did they day they were created.

Article by Carol Mcguire of “Wall Decor & Home Accents”, your best place for tropical fish wall art and nautical wall plaques online.

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