Consider reproducing your one-of-a-kind photographs
Although most people take digital pictures, there are still pictures being displayed on walls and tabletops that are original photos with no trace of a negative, slide or cd to reproduce them. If you have photographs you care about that fall into this category then the first thing you should consider is to make a high quality copy.
Now there are many ways to reproduce your photo so make sure to do it right otherwise you’re wasting your money. You can learn more by reading this article on Photo Restoration and Reproduction (link). So if you care about your picture make sure you have a way to enjoy it for years to come. Now on to picture frame care.
Clean your picture frames regularly
Like anything in your home or office, your picture frames will need to be dusted and cleaned from time to time. Start with laying a soft thick towel down on a flat surface. This way you can take off the back and remove the picture without scratching the front of the frame. Never set a frame down on its front without laying it on something soft. If you do, you’ll scratch it regardless if it’s a beautiful metal picture frame or a handmade wood frame- smooth surfaces scratch.
Once you get the back of the frame opened up and your picture removed, simply take out the glass and give it a good cleaning. Any glass cleaner will work for glass but only use water and soap on acrylic. I would also recommend cleaning it with a cloth towel instead of paper towels because paper towels can scratch acrylic. Using cloth is not only more environmentally friendly but it is especially important if you’re using conservation techniques to protect your photo (the acid in the paper towels left on the glass can slowly degrade your picture). If you’re not familiar with conservation practices to protect important pictures or artwork, you can read more about it here.
In terms of caring for your frame, there are a few things you can do depending upon the type of your frame’s finish. For most wood picture frames with a smooth finish (like furniture) you can use a dust cleaner or a slightly dampened cloth with water. Make sure to remove the picture if you use any type of spray cleaner. If you have a rustic picture frame without a lacquered finish, then simply use water with a slightly damp towel to clean or use a soft toothbrush or microfiber cloth. Be careful of dust cleaners or wood cleaners for unfinished wood because it will absorb the cleaner differently and may discolor it.
Cleaning metal picture frames
For metal picture frames, the way to clean them can vary a lot. For gold colored, silver colored or aluminum picture frames simply use a slightly damp towel with water and wipe the frame down.
This will clean your frame gently without damaging the finish. And for UNLACQUERED finishes like solid pewter picture frames, silver plated frames or sterling silver picture frames use a good quality silver cleaner and follow directions of the cleaner you’re using. If you’re not sure on the kind of finish, use a small area on the bottom of the frame or on the back as a test area to make sure you’re not damaging the finish. Again, please make sure to only clean and care for your frames while the pictures are removed. Once done with cleaning your frame, make sure to wash your hands because you don’t want to get any cleaning residue on your picture.
Once you’re done cleaning the glass and the frame make sure you don’t put back the picture until the glass is completely dry. Moisture on the glass can cause the photo to stick to the glass and damage the picture. If this does happen to you see our restoration article on what to do to save your picture.
If you follow these steps you’ll be sure to keep your picture frames in the same beautiful condition as when you bought them. Happy Cleaning!
