How to Safely Clean Antique Items

The prospect of cleaning and restoring antique items can be daunting. For many, the idea of potential damage to items of sentimental value prevents them from taking at-home approaches to cleaning. Whether your item is recently acquired or has been in the family for decades, it’s no secret that antique furniture requires more than your run-of-the mill Riverside cleaning services. However, most upkeep does not require professional expertise and can be done at home, saving you money in terms of cleaning cost and item value.

Vintage and antique items simply require milder cleaning solutions to protect from natural deterioration. Note that all furniture should be dusted properly with a feather duster or dry cloth before cleaning to remove exterior build-up and prevent excessive abrasion.

For wooden furniture such as tables or chairs, mix oil with distilled white vinegar. If you don’t have wood oil, you can substitute with extra-virgin olive oil or warm water. Short on vinegar? You might also consider a mild dish soap substitute, such as Dawn. Dampen a cotton or microfiber cloth with the solution and begin polishing the wood in small circular motions. Follow with a dry cloth to wipe away the excess.

For antique brass, one must first determine if the item is plated or lacquered. Old brass should not be lacquered, and this finish will need to be removed before cleaning. Brass plated items requires especially gentle cleaning and should be polished as infrequently as possible with warm water and dish soap. Refrain from fully submerging the item. To remove tarnish and oxidation, juice half a lemon and stir with a teaspoon of baking soda until the mixture forms into a paste. Follow the same instructions as with wood polishing, remembering to dry thoroughly. Brass can be polished every several weeks with a light acid treatment.

As far as antique fabrics go, there are a variety of methods to use depending on the type and soil level of the material. Most fabrics do require soaking. All fabrics should be washed with nonabrasive, phosphate-free soap. Yellowed linens may be cleaned with a product like OxiClean, or alternatively with half a cup of oxygen bleach and two to three gallons of cool water. Chlorine bleach is never safe, as the chemicals will damage the fibers of the clothing or furniture. Clothing stains may be removed with use of enzyme textile cleaner, however if the stains have been set for longer than a few washes, they may not be possible to remove entirely.

If you still find yourself feeling unequipped for the cleaning and restoration of your antique items, it is best to contact a professional who can provide you with the expertise necessary to assist in bringing your furniture or apparel to mint condition. Additionally, severe damage such as lacquer peeling or blushing should be evaluated by professionals, and it is best not to attempt at-home restoration. However, these DIY hacks are perfectly suited for up-and-coming collectors determined to preserve the beauty and value …

How to Properly Relocate Antique Collections?

The task of relocating requires proper care, handling, and packing of materials. And if you want to relocate antique collections, you have to be extra cautious.

As most antiques are fragile, any careless collection handling causes permanent damage to your collectible items.

For this reason, we have compiled a list of professional tips to properly relocate your antique collections.

Hire Professional Movers

When hiring moving services to relocate collecting, always request your antiques be labeled fragile and loaded at the end of the truck. So you can take them off as soon as you reach the final destination.

Additionally, hiring relocating services will save you a lot of fuss while you will be at peace that your antique collection is in good hands.

A moving company possesses all equipment and skills with hands-on expertise to move your antiques, whether it’s a long-way journey or short-distance travel.

Do it yourself with Proper Care.

If you want to move your valuable collectibles by yourself, you can rent a truck and other necessary equipment for loading and unloading.

On top of it, get yourself familiarized with the tools and how to use them to move things around before you begin your relocation process. You can also learn about how to properly clean and relocate antique Persian rugs at chula vista carpet cleaning website.

Moreover, put different labels such as “fragile” and “the upside” on packed antiques to know which collectible is more expensive and needs extra care while handling.

Some moving tools that you will require for moving are straps, ropes, dollies, etc.

Keep a List of Your Antiques in Hand

If you are an antique lover, you may already know what collectible items you have at your fingertips.

However, making a list of your antiques can help you sort out things with ease.

For instance, you can list items like:

  • Vintage Postcards
  • Antique Furniture
  • Chinese Export Jewelry
  • Depression Glass

And more!

As you pack and load one item, put a checkmark for identification.

Do Quality Packing of Antiques

While packing, use high-quality material, such as cardboard boxes, acid-resistant wrapping paper, long-sticking tape, etc.

Moreover, before packing, clean all items thoroughly to avoid dust, which can cause friction that can result in scratches on your antiques.

Other Essential Tips for Antique Relocation

  • Wrap your antique books in a plastic that does not contain any acid. Moreover, acid-free plastic protects your belongings from moisture.
  • Take apart the parts of your antique furniture and pack them separately to avoid the rub between wooden pieces.
  • Accurately label your boxes with a paper sheet containing the type of collectible in them and where to load that item in the truck.
  • Insert padding in the packing box or crate where you find enough space to reduce the friction.
  • Load fragile antique pieces at the end of the large truck you rented for moving.
  • Moreover, get your collectibles appraised to know the actual worth of each item before packing and shipping.

The Bottom Line

After following these tips, you …

5 Popular Antiques Collectors Love

A time that has passed can never be returned. However, you can collect some of the popular antiques of that time. Antiques are not limited to personal interests, but they also offer commercial value.

As you see, the popularity of collectible items changes with time. However, some of them always remain top of the list that interest antique collectors no matter what age or season it is.

If you are an artistic person, who loves collecting old assets, you will like our list of the 5 most popular antique collectors love.

Depression Glass

Usually, Depression glass does not cost you more money. Instead, you can find some of the pieces of this antique at a fair price with excellent flowery patterns that are incredibly valuable.

Some of the most valuable patterns include royal lace and American sweetheart.

It depends on how much passion you have to collect Depression glass.  In some cases, people purchase them for a couple thousand dollars at auctions.

Victorian Art Pottery

In the late 19th century, American antique collectors found Victorian art pottery a popular antique to collect. It included pots with beautiful artwork that represented Victorian style. 

So if you love art pottery, this antique collection is perfect for your house. On top of it, you should keep an eye on your attic or home to find this pottery while cleaning to make sure you do not break any expensive antiques. 

Additionally, you also need to be on the lookout for an antique auction, so you never miss out on any opportunity to bring this Victorian-style pottery to your home.

Antique Furniture

Whenever we hear the word antique, the furniture comes to our mind. It is the most valuable collectible item, including each piece worth more than a thousand dollars.

However, you should also identify what type of furniture is worth collecting and preserving and the commercial value it possesses.

Some identifying traits of valuable furniture include wood that does not get eaten by a termite, beautiful patterns that represent any artistic era and creativity, etc.

Chinese Export Jewelry

In 1911, the Qing dynasty ended in China, which resulted in the export of expensive Chinese jewelry in the international market. Today, that jewelry is known as “Chinese Export Jewelry” with many antique pieces. Nowadays, this type of jewelry is a blend of Asian and western designs and patterns.

So you need to keep an eye on the deals and buy such pieces when you feel like you’re being offered affordable prices.

Vintage Postcards

Many deltiologists, who collect postcards as a hobby, started collecting vintage postcards in the early years. They liked to hang them on the wall, which itself was a piece of art at that time. 

Today, you will find many people collecting such antique cards, including holiday cards, publisher cards, photo view cards, and Santa and Halloween cards. Whether you love collecting antiques as a hobby or it’s your business, these 5 collectible items are worth your time and effort and help you …