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How to Clean an Antique Oil Painting

Antique oil paintings are sometimes layered with years of dust buildup. Or, if mounted over a fireplace, a film of soot can considerably dull the original painting. You can easily remove dust from an antique oil painting, but stubborn soot and grime may have to be removed by a proper professional conservator to ensure that the painting does not become ruined. There are a few simple methods for getting the most stubborn dust and dirt off an antique oil painting. These techniques will help refresh the appearance of the painting and bring forth the original beauty without damaging the original work of art, the value or the canvas in general.

Things You'll Need

Feather duster or swiffer
Doughy bread
Medium-sized house paint brush
Plastic garbage bags
Old newspaper
Disposable plastic gloves
Cotton balls
Q-tips
Oil paint cleaner
Varnish
Art paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Sweep the feather duster or Swiffer lightly over the surface of the painting. The surface layer of dust will cling to the Swiffer. Repeat if necessary with a clean Swiffer. If using a feather duster, take the painting outside, weather permitting, and give it a brisk dusting outside. Do not to apply too much pressure on the canvas.
- 2
  Scoop the doughy part out of the center of the bread. Make a ball from the dough, and then pat the painting surface with the dough to remove dirt. Repeat, if needed, with a fresh chunk of dough. Brush a medium-sized, hard bristled house paint brush over the painting to remove any of doughy remnants.
- 3
  Spread plastic bags or old newspaper on a table. Place the painting on top. Put on plastic disposable gloves, and dip a cotton ball or a long Q-tip into the cleaner.
- 4
  Rub a small corner of the painting gently with the cotton or Q-tip to see if it removes a top layer of grime. Stop immediately if any paint is removed.
- 5
  Remove the old varnish. If the antique oil painting is not valuable, you may attempt to remove the old varnish, which will take away any yellowing the painting has accrued with time and dirt along with it. Only do this if you know how to restore an oil painting yourself.
- 6
  Paint a new, fresh layer of clear painting varnish with an art paint brush, sealing the original painting and protecting the cleaned surface.

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