If you receive a package of glass antiques during cold weather, let it sit inside for a few hours before you unpack it. The glass must return to room temperature slowly or it may crack.
A grandfather clock
should be cleaned, oiled and adjusted
every five years. It is important to keep
the clock level if it is to keep accurate time.
Do not wash or rinse gold-decorated glass with very hot water or strong soap. It will remove some of the gold.
Don't lock furniture with antique locks. if they stick, it is almost impossible to open the door or drawer without damaging wood.
Save all labels and written information found on antiques to help determine the history of the object. Do not remove labels. To copy a bottle label, you can try rolling the bottle on a scanner bed at the scan speed. It is easier than it sounds. Put a wide rubber band on the bottle if it has embossed lettering. It helps make a smoother roll.
Ivory will darken if kept in the dark. Keep a piano in the open so the keys will be in natural light. Keep figurines, chess sets, and other ivory in the open.
A glass vase or bowl can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Try not to put the glass in a sink filled with water. Hitting the glass on the faucet or the sink is a common cause of breakage.
When cleaning a chandelier, do not spin it around. This could damage the wiring or the chain holding it. Instead of moving the fixture, move your ladder around it.
