Advice & Guidance
Caring for Objects
The
cleaning of the interior of an historic place of worship should be approached
with care and caution in order to avoid inflicting damage on the historic
fabric.
All materials are subject to change: metals oxidise and lose their shine, wood contracts and expands, textiles wear and fray and stone changes colour over time. When you are cleaning, you should not attempt to make everything look new. It is far better to try to retain the historic patina of an object by leaving ingrained dust, dirt and staining well alone.
As
with many tasks it is vital to ensure that you have the correct equipment for
the job before you start. It is
generally advisable to steer clear of proprietary cleaners. Products to be avoided include aggressive
cleaners, abrasives, silicone polishes, aerosol polishes and furniture creams
as these may cause damage to the object you are endeavouring to care for. If water is needed, it should be used in
minimal quantities and the surface dried after it has been rinsed.
The Conservation Register lists details of accredited conservators as well as guidance on commissioning conservation reports. Excellent advice on the care of objects including glass, furniture, stone, textiles, books, metalwork and paintings is provided by the Institute of Conservation. You can access their guidance here.
You can download the Faith in Maintenance cleaning tips here.
© SPAB 2008
