Age is more than just a number.
Thanks to Harris, now we do.
Justin Harrisis the owner of the cleaning serviceCowtown Maidsin Fort Worth, Texas.
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Failing to distinguish between the two could result in a devalued or even damaged antique.
In many cases, the answer is fairly obvious.
With wood, however, how youre going to clean is determined by the finish.
you’re free to use denatured alcohol to test the finish on the wood, Harris recommends.
The other major difference is inbrass: Lacquered brass wont tarnish, but unlacquered brass will.
Avoid paper towels, toothbrushes, etc.
and opt for the cloths when cleaning and drying as well.
If that doesnt work on certain areas, Harris moves on to Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner.
In both cases, the mixture is a mild one tablespoon of cleaner to one quart of water.
Harris recommends always cleaning with the grain to remove more dirt and grime.
Use Your Silver
Surprisingly, the best way totake care of silveris to simply use it.
By doing this regularly, its able to develop a patina of tiny scratches.
When not in use, they can go in airtight boxes or anti-tarnish bags.
Lacquered brass and copper will benefit from the same cleaning routine as silver.
With unlacquered brass, you might rely on Bar Keepers Friend.
This is because it likely needs to be refinished, which involves abrasives.
We recommend this be done by professional antique refinishers or professional woodworkers, he says.
(And remember that imperfections are all part of the charm!
