In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we want to share some of our top tips on how to keep your framed art looking loved! Doing things such as cleaning your frame’s glass or acrylic, and cleaning the frame itself can make a huge difference in the look, and longevity of your art. 

Before reading the tips we have listed below, it’s important to know if your frames have a glass or acrylic finish, as it will alter the best approach to clean and care for them. If you’re unsure what finish your frames have, it’s best to stick to the tips below, as these care tips are safe for both glass and acrylic finishes. 

Here are some tips we have on how to keep your framed art looking loved this Valentine’s Day:

1. Avoid using water, wood polish and glass cleaner on your wood frames. 

It may seem silly to illuminate water from this list, there are a few reasons why we suggest avoiding these types of cleaners on your wood frames. The main reason for this is to avoid moisture getting into the frame, which over time can cause mold growth. Wood both expands and contracts over time and with season change, meaning that if you use a cleaner or even water to clean your frame, it can get trapped in the frame and cause future damage. 

2. Don’t use household glass cleaners on your frames glass.

Although the cleaner may say that it is safe for glass, and may even be a glass cleaner, it doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to use on your frame! Window glass and art glass often have different finishes, meaning that some of the chemicals in your everyday household glass cleaner could actually cause damage to the glass’s finish. This would look like fogginess in the glass, and even minor scratches and unevenness in the finish. If you are in need of a frame cleaner, we suggest looking up what cleaners they have for your glasses to be sure that it won’t harm it. 

3. Use a cotton ball to wipe down the corners of your frame to avoid build-up. 

One of the most missed places when cleaning a frame is the corners! Over time, there can be a lot of build up in these areas of a frame, which if not addressed, can lead to mold or grime build up. The best way to avoid this is to take a cotton ball when cleaning your frame, and make sure to focus on the corners! 

4. Only use a microfiber cloth to lightly dust your frames. 

Another key thing to note when it comes to cleaning your frames, is to only use microfiber towels. Using regular cotton towels can be too harsh on your frames, especially the glass, and can lead to micro scratches. Although the scratches would be small, they can still be noticeable and can cause further damage over time if not addressed. The best way to avoid this situation all together, is to use microfiber towels for cleaning your frames. 

5. Make sure to keep an eye on the condition of your frames, and repair them if they need to be repaired! 

Lastly, it is very important to keep an eye on the condition of your frames, and repair them if needed! If you notice that your frame is looking like it needs some extra loe, make sure to contact your framer, or Concepts In Art to get it back to its fullest potential. 

Remember to reach out to our team with any of your art needs, and to love your art this Valentine’s Day!