I have just purchased this lovely old trunk. I really don't know that much about it, but want to get it cleaned up. Can anybody help me please? I do want to do the inside too, but it's the outside I'm more concerned about. I think it's wicker underneath, not sure
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I collect these, Jane, and love them for not only room accents but also functionality (one for Christmas decorations, one for gift wrap and bags, one for board games ... you get my drift). They've come from various places and sources, one from an uncle who thought it pretty cool to add a coat of paint. It doesn't look bad, but I prefer the authenticity of those which were merely cleaned up. They are genuine antiques and by restoring you may be diminishing the value. So ... my advice? Clean it up as best you can, find out more about its origin and enjoy it as a conversation starter in your home.
If you do anything to it, you will destroy it's value as an antique. Just use a soft cloth and elbow grease...no cleaning products.
Hi, sorry I think you have the wrong idea of what I meant 'restoring'. I want to keep the originality there as much as possible. I just want to know the best products to give it a little life again as it's pretty filthy.
Hi. I may be late to the party, but I thought I'd add my two cents(4 years late). There is a spray cleaner by Indigo Wild called Zum Clean Counter Cleaner. It is an all natural cleaner made with essential oils. I have used this cleaner to remove the dirt & grime from oil & acrylic paintings with great success. It is gentle & the essential oils help clean canvas & leather without drying it out. I have even used it on my leather purses & boots. I pretty much use it to clean everything, including my floors. If you haven't found what you were looking for to clean up the surfaces of your trunk, this may be what you need.
Keep your old trunk as it is as much as you can tolerate. I would only dust it. Look for ways to lightly "clean" old wood or whatever material you think it is made from.
Some purist collectors want an item as found, untouched. If you do not EVER plan on selling it, you might try a damp T-shirt rag and a small amount of Murphy's oil soap used sparingly on the cloth. Do NOT scrub. Experiment on the bottom where it won't show. Rinse gently with the damp T-shirt. This will NOT make it look brand new, it will still be an antique.
Then there are products to restore old leather. If the leather is crumbly or powdery, do not mess with it. It's beyond help. Otherwise, neatsfoot oil is good for leather. maybe contact a local museum that does conservation and ask them. They would be the best reference.
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