A lot of paintings are timeless and classic and can be used in other areas around the home. However, if you’re looking to store wall art as you redecorate your home, or perhaps you’re moving, you might want to take care. Even canvas and wall art kept in museums require care and preservation, that’s why most museums have preservation teams. At home, you probably have a team of one: you. Allow us to guide you through the steps of storing wall art.
While our canvases are durable in the long term, storing them wrongly may impact their quality. You’ll want to avoid some of the risks of storing art, like avoiding wrapping your pieces in plastic. Here are the best ways to effectively store your art without causing damage.
Clean with Care
To prepare your wall art for storage, give it a proper clean first. By using a microfiber cloth to remove dust from the surfaces, your artwork won’t get stored neat and tidy. These clothes can easily be found in your local grocery or purchased online.
Avoid Sunlight
Sunlight will badly affect your painting. If you’re wondering about how to store paintings and keep them looking originally when they come out of storage, make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight. The sun can cause your beloved painting to face and eventually break down the strength of the canvas. Your once bright and vibrant artwork could become dull and flat when you pull it out of storage.
The Right Way to Stack
One of the common and possibly unsuspected ways to damage your painting is if you stack it horizontally. Instead of laying it flat, lay it upright to avoid canvas impression marks appearing on your print. This will also keep dust from settling on the piece, which is a definite challenge when storing anything and everything unless you’re dusting your stored belongings daily.
Beware of Dust and Humidity
On the topic of avoiding dust from settling, strongly consider wrapping your art piece. Some materials, however, can trap humidity and damage your wall art. Storage for paintings should not be done with material like Saran-wrap. Instead, use a light cloth. Consider an old sheet to cover the entirety of your wall art.
To avoid humidity, and of course, mold and mildew from growing, store your painting in a cool, dry place. Once the mold settles, good luck trying to get rid of it. If you’re having trouble finding a suitable storage location, many storage unit providers offer climate-control storage solutions. This ensures that your art will remain in top condition.
Handle with Care
Fingerprints can leave unwanted marks on your wall art. When looking into how to store paintings, make sure your hands are washed, particularly after eating, before handling wall art. Otherwise your beautiful artwork could be forever be marred with fingerprints.
Another easily missed way to damage your wall art is by wearing rings, watches, or bracelets while handling. It’s easy to forget you’re wearing beautiful jewelry, but a canvas won’t easily forget if it comes away with minor dents or other marks.
