Acrylic
We recommend brillianize (www.brillianize.com). It cleans acrylic, kills static charges, and leaves the surface smooth and dust resistant. Never use cleaners with alcohol or ammonia.
Glass
Window cleaners with vinegar or vinegar-D are recommended for glass, and tests show they are safe for conservation glass. Avoid any cleaner that contains pumice, waxes, or harsh detergents.
Moldings
Wood frames may be cleaned with a gentle furniture dusting product applied to a soft cloth. Gold or silver leafed frames should be dusted with a dry soft cloth. Metal frames may be cleaned with a glass cleaner applied to a soft cloth. Shadow Box Frames should be cleaned using above recommendations.
Cleaning Art & Canvas Gallery Wraps
Dust unprotected paintings every 4 to 6 months with soft, white-bristle Japanese brushes, sable (such as a typical makeup brush), or badger-hair brushes. Avoid using pesticides, foggers, air fresheners, or furniture sprays near paintings. Remove paintings from a room before painting, plastering, or steam cleaning carpets or wallpaper.
Location: Temperature / Humidity
Picture frames need to be protected from heat and humidity. Avoid areas of high humidity (bathrooms) and areas over a heat source (heat register). High levels of humidity and temperature can cause mold growth, reddish brown blotches called foxing and condensation in picture frames.
Lighting: Proper Lighting Techniques
Use incandescent bulbs to light paintings. Incandescent lights have only 4% of their rays in the damaging UV range. Fluorescent and halogen bulbs, along with sunlight, emit high levels of ultraviolet light.
Reframe
The side of the glass on the inside of picture frames should be cleaned and checked at least every 3-5 years. Frames must be disassembled to accomplish this cleaning. This procedure allows for checking the condition of the hinging of artwork, picture matting, and the tightness of the corners of the frame.