CLEAN YOUR PICTURES WITH A RAW POTATO

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 70, 15 December 1937, Page 11

CLEAN YOUR PICTURES WITH A RAW POTATO

Old pictures in oil-colour paint, whether executed on wood or on canvas, grow dirty with the years, and we are sometimes puzzled as to the hest and safest way to clean them without liaving to go to the expense of sending' them to an expert. It was a painter and art master at one of our leading public schools who told me the other day that l'or this purpose tiiere is nothing to match a raw potato cut across into thick slices (sa3's an English writer). Use the raw cut suri'aces as though they were naiibruslies, working gently and gradually, with circular movements, over the whole surlace, and remove the dirt with a clean, soft cloth as you go along. If the picture is very dirty the cloth may have to be damped. In this case follow up with a dry cloth. llenew tlxe potato slices frequently as they take on the dirt. and do not be stingy with your cloths. Afterwards a coat of mastie varnish may be needed to bring up the eolours, but where a vaiuable picture is concerned it will be beltor to consult an expert as to tliis. It is well to remernber tliat ordinary decorator's vari uish should not be used on a picture as tfc darkeng the toiie too much.