Buying a piece of art comes with a lot of feelings, but at the same time makes a person mystified by the prospect of ensuring its lifespan the moment it arrives at home. That is because one has to think about the factors that will affect the state of the artwork (may it be the porcelain, print, or painting). It does not matter if you are buying affordable artwork as a way to decorate your walls, or buying it as an investment, it is wise to teach yourself how to maintain them, clean them, and store them.

For this reason, we have compiled several tips that will help you ensure your art security and condition for many years. At Artling Artzine, we value art, and that is why we want the best for you and your artwork.

How To Care For Art?

 i) The Glove Treatment
What do we mean by glove treatment? This simply means that any time you want to handle the paint; you should wear a pair of clean lightweight gloves. Remember, even if your hands are clean or look clean, the skin is always oily, and you may transfer this oil to the artwork. This will cause damage and stain the canvases.

When transferring the artwork to a new location or moving it, you should carry both sides of the frame. This helps distribute its weight evenly and prevents damage. Do not lean the canvas against anything that is not flat, because it can cause it to stretch.

ii) The Appropriate Way To Hang It
This tip applies to anything and everything you wish to hang, including photos. To do it well, you have to consider its weight (accounting for everything). Do not forget to account for the strength of the wall (if it can accommodate/support the weight of your artwork).

The best setup is the Two Eye Hooks, which are mounted onto the back of the frame and connected with a strong wire. This technique allows you to keep the artwork straight without the need to be precise about the screw or nail placement. However, you should note that heavier works demand a little more preparation for the safety of the wall. They demand more than one anchor point and hung from wood stud behind the plaster or drywall. This way, the weight will be distributed evenly.

In a nutshell, ensure that you have taken care of your artwork’s placement, and ensure that they are out of rich for children and pets. Although this seems like a piece of ordinary advice, it is often ignored and the leading cause for artwork damage at home. If and when artwork falls, their chances of damage are high and may cause injuries. 

iii) Avoid Extreme Temperature
It does not matter if your artwork is hanging or stored away, it is wise to keep them away from extreme temperatures. According to professionals, it is wise to keep them at a temperature of between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius. Avoid storing them in rooms or places where they may experience ongoing fluctuation in temperature, humidity, and moisture.

Avoid areas with direct sunlight. Also, consider the ceiling light you are using as it may produce a lot of heat that may damage the artwork. If you must use high voltage lights, make sure the lights are a far distance from the work. Avoid placing your artwork close to heating or cooling units like the radiators, air conditioning units, fireplaces, and air vents.

How To Clean Art?

i) Dusting
Experts recommend dusting the paints a few times a year. In fact, how often you will dust them will depend on where you have placed the artwork and the setting they are in. Always check for any signs of deterioration when you are dusting them. Do not forget to keep an eye for flaking paint. If you notice the paint is flaking, do not dust the artwork.

Do not forget: to ensure safety, always wear gloves as you are dusting. If the painting is on the wall, consider taking it off to prevent it from falling.

You can use a soft painter’s brush or dry cloth to dust the work. Always avoid feather dusters because the fibers may latch onto the canvas of the edge of the paint leaves. To avoid all these, you should frame your artwork under protective glass. Doing this does not only add on a protective layer but makes easy of all future cleaning demands. Moreover, you will have prevented it from mold and damp environment.

ii) Check For Damp
Did you know that works on papers are the most vulnerable to dampness? With canvases, dampness will be noticed on the back of the canvas. After some time, you will begin to see discoloration and a distinctive brown mark(s). The good news is that you can have the artwork cleaned by a professional or restored.

iii) Never Use Chemicals
All cleaning products have chemicals in them. These cleaning products will therefore damage the artwork permanently if they are used. That is because chemicals are abrasives, and some have color-changing capabilities.

Although art historians have always used saliva to clean paintings for many years, we do not advise this. We recommend sticking to the soft brush method. If the artwork is highly valued or sentimental, consider having a professional clean it for you.

How To Store Artwork? 

 i) Packing For Storage
Packing is the most effective way for storing artworks for an extended time. However, specific conditions must be met to ensure the frame, canvas, or paint is not experiencing damage in storage. In this case, bubble raping is your best friend. That is because plastic is effective in keeping things clean and protected against bumps and scrapes.

For added security, place your bubble wrap works in closely fitted boxes. If the space is big and you cannot find a small box, consider using Styrofoam.

• Packing For Storage For Framed Pieces – As mentioned, bubble wrap the art, use packing tape to seal, and consider adding padding while in a box.
• Packing For Storage For Framed Pieces – Unframed pieces demand a little bit of work when it comes to storage. To store them, use silicone sheet paper to cover the canvas and seal it with packing tape. While doing this, ensure no tape is touching the canvas. If you cannot find silicone paper, a clean plastic sheet can work too. Do not forget to include bubble wrap and packing tape.
  
  
  

ii) Take Note Of Climate Changes
The room or storage space your artwork is stored will have its climate. For this reason, it is important to take note of this to prevent damage to them. Remember, sudden temperature changes will cause the painting to stretch, slacken, or even crack. Consider storing your work at a consistent 55% humidity and a temperature between 21-24 degrees Celsius.

Do not store them in the basement or attic, because these areas have climates that will damage the artwork. Damp environments will encourage mold to grow.

iii) Do Not Stack Them
Never stack the artwork together. It is wise to keep them separated from each other. Place them on an acid-free paper or board, and then lay them flat on a flat surface.

iv) Always Cover The Painting
It is wise to cover the painting using a clean cloth. Taking this action helps reduce the build-up or accumulation of dust and dirt on the artwork. If you plan to store the artwork for long, you are advised to take them out once in a while to breathe. Do not forget, anytime you are returning the painting into storage, follow the storage packing practice.