How to Clean Old Paintings on Canvas

Canvas paintings can be a beautiful addition to your home or workspace, but they can start looking a little worse for wear after a while. If your artwork is framed, take a few minutes to remove the canvas and set it aside before you get to...

Method 1 of 2:

Removing the Painting from a Frame

Lay the painting on a sturdy surface. Choose a workspace for your painting, like a table or countertop. You don't want to risk damaging your frame or painting by handling it on an uneven surface. Before you start working, make sure that the frame and painting are both face down in your workspace.^{[1] X Research source}
Unscrew any wires on the back of the frame. Search along the back of the frame for a long, thin wire that helps secure the painting to a wall. Use a Philip's screwdriver to detach both ends of the wire from the frame, which makes it easier to access the painting.^{[2] X Research source}
1. Set the wire nearby for whenever you reassemble the painting.
Pull out any nails with a set of needle-nose pliers. Look and feel along the edge of your painting for nails so you can remove the canvas. Squeeze the pliers around each nail, then remove them at an outward angle from the painting. Continue removing the nails until the frame is completely bare.^{[3] X Research source}
1. If you jostle the painting while removing the nails vertically, there's a chance that you could damage the artwork.
Lift the painting out of the frame at a slight angle. Use both hands to hold onto the back section of the painting. Gingerly lift the canvas and it's backing out of the frame—if you feel any resistance, don't try to tug or force the painting out. As you remove the painting, try not to touch the back of the canvas, as this could hurt the painting.^{[4] X Research source}
1. If you think the painting is stuck to the frame in some way, ask a professional for help.
Set the painting aside so you can clean it. Place the canvas face down on a clean, sturdy surface. Try to handle the artwork as gently and carefully as possible so the canvas doesn't get scratched or damaged in the process.^{[5] X Research source}

Method 2 of 2:

Performing Basic Cleaning

Wipe the back of the painting to get rid of any dirt. Take a clean cloth or rag and brush away any visible dirt or grime. Look along the back of the frame where the painting used to be, as there may be dirt and other build-up there as well.^{[6] X Research source}
Dust the surface of the painting with a soft brush. Take a wide, soft-bristled brush and go over the canvas in long, light strokes. Focus on any areas with dust build-up, and try to sweep off the dirt in 1 direction. Continue wiping down the painting until there's no visible dust or dirt on the surface.^{[7] X Research source}
1. You can find soft brushes at your local art supply store.
2. It helps if your brush is at least 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) wide.
Use saliva and a cotton swab to clean the painting. Swipe a clean Q-tip along your inner cheek or tongue to pick up some saliva. Lightly rub the cotton swab over the surface of painting, especially on any spaces that look especially dirty. Make sure you haven't eaten or drunken anything at least 30 minutes before using your spit to clean your canvas.^{[8] X Research source}
1. Consider testing a tiny corner of your painting with saliva before rubbing it over your entire painting. If the spit seems to clean off the painting, feel free to continue cleaning with it.
2. If saliva doesn't seem to help, you can also use a pea-sized amount of baby soap to clean off the surface instead.^{[9] X Research source}
Care for oil paintings with special products. Check that the surface is dust- and dirt-free, dip a cotton swab into a specialized oil painting neutralizer, varnish softener, or varnish remover. Roll the swab over small, 2 in (5.1 cm) sections of your painting. Once you've cleaned the entire surface, paint a layer of varnish over the surface.^{[10] X Research source}
1. Test different cleaning products on small sections of the painting to see which one will clean your canvas best.
2. You can find specialized supplies at an art supply store.
Contact a professional restorer if your painting is ripped or yellowed. Really old paintings may need some special TLC provided by someone with a lot of training. Visit your local art supply shop or art restoration business to find a professional who can repair, clean, and re-varnish your painting, if necessary.^{[11] X Research source}

Warning: Despite popular belief, foods like white bread and raw potatoes aren't a great solution for cleaning and restoring old paintings, as they can leave residue on the canvas. Thankfully, there are plenty of other safe household items you can use to clean your artwork!^{[12] X Research source}