Removals and Antiques

The treasures that surface and reclaiming them.

We are not suggesting you clean valuable oil paintings, although seeing them revealed is a pleasure. Within our removals service we often have clients who discover slightly less precious antiques after years in a loft or shed, then feel they deserve a better place. If they need a little care and attention first, a few suggestions below:

Furniture and dirt can be hard to separate. Whilst not the approach for important pieces, most can be cleaned with a soap solution plus a little acetic acid and fine wire wool. No need to be too gentle, once the surface is clean and dry, a little wax restores the sheen.
Highly polished antique furniture can also become dull or grimy. Patent restorers are available, although brasso or silver polish applied with fine wire wool can work well. This often brings back the deep sheen by itself, a coat of furniture wax may help more and protect. If there are nominal scratches or abrasions, mix scratch cover with the wax.
Cleaning silver can be a slow process, especially if the piece has been long forgotten and turned black. Line a plastic bowl with aluminium foil, add hot water, soda crystals until no more dissolve and a spoon of salt. Immerse the silver making sure this touches the foil. Best just to leave submerged until you see the clean surface, a few minutes normally. Then rinse and buff to a shine, particularly useful for fiddly cutlery.
Antique leather book bindings, or other leather items deteriorate if not nourished. British Museum leather dressing is a good way to bring them back to life. Gently heat together 250 gm of anhydrous lanolin, 20 gm of beeswax and 35 ml of cedar oil. Whilst still warm, stir into 400ml of hexane, keep stirring until cool. The dressing can slightly darken softer leather but protects well and buffs to a pleasant glow.
Glazed pottery and porcelain often fall out of use through unsightly stains. If these are on the surface, soak for a few hours in a strong solution of biological soap powder. If the stains are in the glaze, or hairline cracks, bleaching will often make them vanish. If need be, soak folded kitchen roll in the bleach and lay this directly on the crack.

Consider Value

Both personal and financial.

The suggestions above are perfectly safe for most antique or later items but some antique pieces can be better left to preserve the patina, often part of the value. Others may be too precious to risk a home solution, if in doubt seek expert advice and a valuation. Many major auction rooms offer this service free of charge and you may be able to email a picture or two plus details.

For those items you would simply like to see restored to their former glory, we hope you found the ideas useful and enjoy trying them. As professional removers, we care about your possessions as well and are pleased when a few lost friends turn up during a move.

Should you need any help with your move, or advice on packing and caring for your furniture of all ages, by all means contact us. For details of our services, see our pages on Surrey removals or the section on antique removals and storage.