My grandmother did many oil paintings before she died. They're beautiful, but only valuable to your family. My mother, a heavy smoker, hung a small oil painting (about 12 x 18) in her small studio apartment for several years. That week she's moving, and gave the painting to me. It is difficult and drippy with smoke residue. My local art gallery wants almost $200 to clean it! Will there be a home-remedy that I.. Certainly one of my loyal readers was seeking advice cleaning an oil painting: My grandmother did many oil paintings before she died. They are beautiful, but only important to our family. My mother, huge smoker, hung a small oil painting (about 12 x 18) in her small studio apartment for several years. That week she's moving, and gave me the painting. It is sticky and drippy with smoke residue. My local memorial needs nearly $200 to scrub it! Can there be a home-remedy that I possibly could test? Clearly, I dont want to damage it, but its not really a important part, and I only want it cleaned enough to hang in my own home (still living with wine and fruit). Thanks for any advice you are able to provide! I cant make any guarantees (because Im not just a curator) about the safety of those methods for your particular painting. But I can let you know what I do to clean the paintings I own. 1.The best solution, but will not work with places is to utilize a really soft brush to get rid of dust and smoke particles (very soft paintbrush, child brush, shaving brush, that type of thing). You should buy a micro addition kit for your vacuum that has small brushes (under an inch in length) for deeper cleaning (dont polish the surface with the bristles, thoughjust light, round passes). If that doesnt work, you should use a dry rubber sponge in a nutshell strokes across the surface, but only if the surface isnt broken or flaky. I-t sees every last little dust and smoke, but likely wont work on the really difficult parts. 2.The other option is to utilize gentle, clean towels and water with several drops of dish detergent. Do-so, when you can remove the frame to check this on the side or edge of the painting first. Identify further on an affiliated portfolio by visiting  [[http://bipochat.com/?p=11593|carpetfirst]] . Watch the outer lining of the painting and check always the cloths to see whats coming off, and if the paint hues are lifting off obviously, stop cleaning. Take to only damp towels initially, dab the painting, no scrubbing. Be mindful to not expand the canvas by pressing too much, if she painted o-n canvas. If moist cloths arent working, use a bit more water, only beware that water can leak under varnish, if there's any, and that if the paint is slim, and the canvas or panel gets wet, it can shrink or warp and cause cracks in the paint. Ive washed my very own paintings this way, but a conservator could move my neck if I ever tried it in a gallery! Ive also used rubbing alcohol o-n a cotton ball for really poor areasscary, but it works. Use a tiny level of alcohol. If these procedures don't work, it might be worth it to discuss with at the gallery to see if there is a conservators apprentice or helper working there. Ask around unofficially by checking using the security guards, party staff, gallery look clerks, an such like. He or she might be prepared to look at your painting to recommend a solvent or clear it to get a cheap (underneath the table o-n his/her own time). You could also check antique and surrounding stores to see when they have lower prices for cleaning services. Good luck washing your oil painting! Please let me know in the event that you found my advice helpful. For more valuable oil painting tips refer to my blog.CarpetFirst 78 York Street London W1H 1DP 020 8099 8444