Some Things To Consider
- Coins should be left in "found" condition. Cleaning makes them less desirable to collectors.
- Ceramics can be washed with soap and water, but only wipe gently with a damp cloth if they are repaired, damaged, or have cold-painted decorations.
- To polish brass make a paste of equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar. Rub on brass with a soft cloth. Rinse completely. Shine with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
- Store plastic toys or other plastic items away from the heat, not touching one another. When storing old toys remember to remove the batteries first.
- Don't use plastic bubble wrap to store silver and ceramics. Heat and humidity can cause permanent discolorations.
- Rearrange lamps and decorative items on wooden tabletops. If you don't, exposed wood will lighten and unexposed wood will remain dark after time.
- Porous pottery and ironstone can be cleaned with wig bleach obtained from a beauty salon.
- Clean mildew on wooden furniture with a cloth moistened with one cup water mixed with one tablespoon bleach and one tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent. Dry with a clean cloth.
- To remove unpleasant smells from an old chest of drawers, use baking soda, cat litter, or charcoal chips to absorb the odor.
- Tin signs or cans will fade in ultraviolet sunlight, or fluorescent light.
- White powder forming on glass or pottery with a lead glaze is poisonous. Remove the item!
- Marble sculptures will discolor from pollutants if near a window or an active fireplace. They may scorch or crack near a heater.
- Lemon juice will remove the remains of gum, adhesive tape, and other sticky tapes.
- If you scorch a textile while ironing, rub a cut onion over the scorch, then soak cloth in cold water for one hour. Rewash and try again.
- Do not store foods or beverages in crystal bowls or bottles for long periods of time. Vinegar, acidic juice, and alcoholic beverages will leach the lead out of the glass.
- Do not use olive oil to polish a wooden bowl, or it will turn rancid. Wash and rinse bowl well if using an olive oil salad dressing.
- If displaying paper items, remember that light of all kinds (electric and sunlight), will eventually harm paper.
- To clean antique ivory, dust with a soft cloth or brush, and use a clean woolen cloth to buff it.
- Do not polish dark antique bronze or you will destroy the old patina and lower the value of the piece.
- Chlorine in cleaning products will harm bronze items displayed in a room where these products are used.
- When repairing dolls remember that changing the original hair in any way will lower its value. Clean antique cloth dolls by gently vacuuming through a layer of nylon net. Do not vacuum silk.
- Glass Christmas ornaments should never be stored in a damp basement. Mildew will cause damage.
- Antique clocks must be cleaned and lubricated every five years. To set most clocks, hold the minute hand in the center, turn it clock-wise, wait for each strike. Wind fully each time, but do not over-wind.
- To clean glass with an iridescent finish, use cool water and very little mild soap.
- Never display grandfather clocks near a heat register or radiator. Be sure to attach them to the wall for safety. Most old grandfather clocks have a small hole for a screw inside on the backboard.
- A signature on a piece of cut glass adds at least 25% to the value, but it can be difficult to find.
- Clean andirons using liquid metal polish and 0000-grade steel wool to remove resin caused by smoke.
- Polish old carved furniture using paste wax applied with a stenciling brush. Buff using a shoe brush.
