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Care & Repair
From removing watermarks and repairing scratches on furniture, to cleaning jewellery and textiles, to storing and displaying your collection, our unique online guide is the place to start.
Cleaning Turquoise
Remove dirt and grease by dabbing with cotton wool dampened with warm, soapy water. If the dirt proves stubborn, gently rub in the soapy water with a toothbrush. Then dab off with...
- 20th January 2010
- Members only
Cleaning Unglazed Ceramics
Bisque (unglazed porcelain) and various types of unglazed pottery and earthenware, notably unglazed terracotta, are highly porous and so can be damaged by regular or lengthy immersion in water. You may have...
- 20th January 2010
- Members only
Cleaning Upholstery Trimmings
Although often made of the same, or a similar, fabric to the top-cover material, trimmings are also often worked in alternative fibres, including silver and gold threads. Their intricate construction can make them very difficult...
- 20th January 2010
- Members only
Cleaning Vinyl Records
For regular or after-play cleaning of black vinyl records, cleaning kits comprising a lint-free, anti-static cloth and commercial cleaning fluid are readily available from specialist record suppliers. These, however, will be...
- 20th January 2010
- Members only
Consolidating Dry Leather
Excessively dried-out leather starts to desiccate and become fragile. To stop it disintegrating completely you may need to consolidate or support it as follows. With a soft-bristled paint brush, gently apply one or more coats of clear polyacrylate resin to both sides of the leather. If you cannot gain access to one of the sides, slowly inject the liquid with a hypodermic syringe. (Note: Before you start, test a ...
- 20th January 2010
- Members only
Countering Damage from Air Pollution on Leather
The high levels of sulphuric acid and sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere in some cities and industrial areas pose a threat to leather. These air-borne pollutants, when they are combined with excessive humidity, can initiate a process of corrosion that causes leather to decompose and eventually crumble into a fine red powder. This condition is known as ‘red rot’, and once it has set in it is incurable. The best way ...
- 20th January 2010
- Members only
