I was re-reading my Martha Stewart Living magazine from this spring, and she had written a small article about spring cleaning. Even though it isn't spring anymore, I was thinking this morning that cleaning needlework pieces, framed or not, can be part of your housecleaning activities. Here are some tips for carefully cleaning your needlework.
If you have a framed piece with glass, clean the front of the glass once a year. Lay the piece on a table, and SPRAY A PAPER TOWEL (NOT the front of the glass) with window cleaner. Wipe the glass clean. If you spray a piece of glass directly, glass can seep under the edges of the glass and dampen the piece or ruin the matting. Use a wood cleaner on a soft cloth to wipe the frame down, too, as these can collect a lot of dust.
You may find that over time glass can appear foggy on the inside. Believe it or not, glass gets dirty on the inside of the frame sometimes. You can take your piece apart and clean both sides of the glass, or take it to your framer to have that done. You'll be surprised what a difference it makes.
If you have a framed piece without glass (I go about half and half, depending on my mood, I guess), you can clean the needlework a few ways. I use the hose attachment on my vacuum cleaner to suck off the dust once in a while. You could also use a soft cloth to gently wipe the surface of the needlework. Or, if you're really ambitious, take the whole thing apart, wash, dry, iron and re-stretch your needlework. (This isn't the kind of thing you want to do every year, but I've done it with a few pieces that looked a little dirtier than I liked.)
Ornaments, pillows, stand-ups and bellpulls can be cleaned the same way you'd clean a framed piece without glass. Gently dust, wipe, or vacuum these to remove particles of dirt. If they are items you only put out seasonally, place each in a cloth bag or in tissue paper, and store them in a dry, cool environment.
Always be careful when you're cleaning something with embellishments. Don't suck all of your beads off with the vacuum, or brush off buttons with some hearty wiping.
We've done a lot of moving, so over time, some of my frames got pretty banged up (and I have one by the front door that gets knocked off the wall about once a week...I should probably move that!) Mats, too, can fade over time, giving your piece a dull look. If it's a piece you really cherish and enjoy, consider re-framing or re-matting it, to freshen it up. While you've got it apart, clean the needlework, and have it re-stretched.
Needlework pieces will get dirtier in some rooms of the house more than others. Kitchens are splattery places (well, mine is anyway!) Bathrooms are full of moisture, hair spray, cologne, make-up, dust, etc. Entryways are subject to more dirt and dust than interior rooms. And outside walls, while not inherently dirtier than others, can contribute to the buckling of your stretching, due to humidity.
I do kind of have the philosophy, though, that needlework is to be enjoyed. As long as it lasts as long as I do, I'm happy with that. So, I've got pieces in my kitchen, I've had needlework in my bathroom, too. And that little sampler by the front door...that'll probably stay.
I have instructions on washing needlework (and lots more general information about framing) on my site. See the framing and finishing section on my main page for a list of articles.
It's hot -- but we're all inside stitching. I figure there isn't any way not not enjoy summer that way. If it's nice, I'll go outside and putter. If it's not...I've got my needle and thread!
© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com