My grandmother did a few oil paintings before she died. They're attractive, but only important to our family. My mother, much smoker, hung a small oil painting (about 1-2 x 18) in her small studio apartment for quite some time. This week she's going, and gave me the painting. It's desperate and drippy with smoke residue. My local art gallery wants almost $200 to completely clean it! Is there a home-remedy that I.. Certainly one of my loyal readers was seeking guidance cleaning a gas painting: Before she died my grandmother did many oil paintings. Browse here at  [[http://home.agh.edu.pl/~broncho/twiki/bin/view/Main/Vacuums_The_Significance_of_Accessories_104286|anyclean]]  to explore the reason for this viewpoint. They're beautiful, but only important to your family. My mother, much smoker, put a small oil painting (about 1-2 x 18) in her small studio apartment for many years. That week she is going, and gave me the painting. It's difficult and drippy with smoke residue. My local art gallery wants almost $200 to completely clean it! Can there be a home-remedy that I possibly could try? Certainly, I dont want to harm it, but its not a important piece, and I just want it cleaned enough to hold in my home (still life with good fresh fruit) and wine. Thanks for any advice it is possible to provide! I cant make any guarantees (since Im not just a curator) concerning the safety of the methods for your particular painting. But I can let you know what I do to clean the paintings I possess. 1.The best alternative, but won't work on areas is by using an extremely soft brush to get rid of dust and smoke particles (super soft paintbrush, child toothbrush, shaving brush, that sort of thing). You should buy a micro connection system for your vacuum that's small brushes (under an inch in diameter) for deeper cleanup (dont polish the outer lining together with the bristles, thoughjust light, round passes). If that doesnt work, you should use a dry rubber sponge in short strokes throughout the surface, but only if the surface isnt destroyed or flaky. I-t picks up every last bit of dirt and smoke, but likely will not work with the really difficult parts. 2.The other choice is to utilize soft, clean cloths and water with a couple of drops of dish detergent. Do-so, If you're able to eliminate the frame-to check this quietly or edge-of the painting first. Watch the surface of the painting and examine obviously when the paint hues are lifting off, and the towels to see whats coming off, stop cleaning. Decide to try just moist towels at first, pat the painting, no cleaning. Be careful to not stretch the canvas by pressing too much, if she painted on canvas. If moist towels arent working, use a bit more water, only beware that water can leak under varnish, if there is any, and that if the paint is slender, and the canvas or board gets damp, it can shrink or warp and cause cracks in-the paint. Ive cleaned my own personal paintings in this way, but a conservator could wring my neck basically ever tried it in a gallery! Ive also used alcohol o-n a cotton ball for really bad areasscary, however it works. Make use of a small amount of alcohol. It may be worth it to ask around in the gallery to see if there is a conservators apprentice or assistant working there, if these procedures don't work. Ask around unofficially by checking using the security guards, reception team, gallery look clerks, and so forth. She or he might be willing to examine your painting to suggest a solvent or clean it to get a discounted (under the table on his/her own time). You might like to examine traditional and surrounding shops to-see if they have lower prices for cleaning services. Good luck washing your oil painting! Please I want to know in the event that you found my advice helpful. For more valuable oil painting tips make reference to my blog.CarpetFirst 78 York Street London W1H 1DP 020 8099 8444