Here are some tips to get those cherished collectibles clean. It doesn't matter how clean your house is, things get dirty, dusty and sometimes greasy. First of all it's important to stress -- never, ever wash items like - Hummels, Village pieces or Snowbabies.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 20 minutes
Here's How:
- Using a soft 2" paint brush, dust entire piece. A hairdryer can be used blow dust out of crevices.
- If piece is still soiled, check to see if it is cold painted, unglazed or completely glazed.
- If it is glazed, line the kitchen sink with thick terrycloth towels, then fill with luke-warm soapy water.
- Completely glazed pieces may be put soapy water for a few moments and gently washed with soft cloth. Rinse with clear water and air dry on a thick pad of newspapers covered with a layer of paper towels or in a rack made to hold dishes for drying.
- Do not put cold painted and unglazed pieces in sink, instead wipe gently with a damp cloth. Test a hidden area to be sure piece will not be damaged. Most cold painted jars will lose some paint when using anything on them at all, but many unglazed items can be carefully washed. Just don't soak them!
Tips:
- Warning -- Do not keep cold-painted pottery or pottery that cannot be washed in your kitchen area. If you do any cooking at all, they will get a greasy/dusty build-up, which is hard to clean unless they are completely glazed.
- Never soak any ceramic or porcelain item as any minute breaks in the glaze will quickly absorb water and will dark lines will develop.
- Never wash items like - Hummels, Village pieces or Snowbabies.
