NEW YORK, NY.- Whether you are an experienced collector or you have just bought your first piece of artwork, you will need to know how you can best look after your art for years to come.

There are many techniques that you can employ to increase the lifespan of your artwork. These include general maintenance tasks and thinking carefully about where your artwork is placed. Here is a look at some of the best ways to keep your artwork in top condition.

Do not store your artwork in humid locations
This may seem obvious, but many people are not aware just how dangerous moisture is to artwork, particularly paintings. Moisture will be absorbed by your art, which can cause the paint to run and distort the overall image. Repeated exposure to humidity will also cause mold growth over time, the effects of which are irreversible. Some of the most common humid locations in the home include bathrooms, next to the oven, and over the kitchen sink.

The best place to store your artwork is in well-ventilated rooms with lots of fresh air. Alternatively, you can use a dehumidifier to minimize the effects of the water vapor if this is unavoidable.

Be careful how you clean your glass
When you clean the glass on picture frames, never spray glass cleaner or water directly onto it. There is a high chance that the cleaner will touch the surrounding frame and damage it or leak onto the picture. This may also cause the painting to run, especially if it’s a watercolor.

Instead, use a dry, soft, microfiber cloth to carefully wipe any dust or dirt away. If there are really stubborn marks that you wish to remove, spray some glass cleaner directly onto the cloth and carefully rub this onto the glass. Try to use the smallest amount of cleaner possible to minimize the risk of leakage.

Do not use furniture polish on wooden artwork
Never use furniture polish when cleaning wooden artwork or frames. Most artwork has a delicate patina or coating to give the art a certain look, and the strength of the polish may disrupt this. If your wood is uncoated, you need to be even more careful; untreated wood will quickly absorb any polish or liquid, which will dramatically change the way it looks.

The best method for cleaning wooden art is to regularly dust the piece two to three times a week. This prevents the build-up of dust or dirt, which will cause greater cosmetic problems in the future. No liquid or cleaner should ever come into contact with the wood. If you have an old piece of wood that you believe needs to be cleaned to bring it back to its former glory, it is best to consult a professional for advice.

Keep artwork out of direct sunlight
One of the most detrimental elements to artwork is exposure to bright sunlight or prolonged exposure to internal lighting such as lamps or spotlights. Over time, the light will cause your artwork to fade and crack – two issues that are irreversible. UV light is the most damaging to paintings and will cause them to fade extremely quickly as it affects the pigment levels in the paint.

The best way to prevent the damaging effects of light is to monitor and control the light levels in the room. One of the easiest ways of doing this is fitting some full height shutters. These styles look beautiful, and you can choose to keep them fully closed, partially closed or fully open, depending on the time of day or light levels outside.

Be careful how you store unused artwork
If you decide to put some of your artwork away into storage, you need to think carefully about how you do this. Do not store your pieces in the basement or the attic as these places can be very humid and are susceptible to great fluctuations in temperature. Outer buildings like sheds are another bad choice not only because of the humidity but also the potential threat of rats or insects.

Instead, store your pieces inside your house in an unused bedroom or closet. Cover paintings in a soft blanket or bubble wrap and store them upright. If you are storing several pictures together, separate them with acid-free boards or sheets of cardboard.

Following these tips can help you keep your artwork looking great for many years. Can you relocate your paintings, change your cleaning techniques, or install some light-controlling shutters? With careful thought and a little bit of time, you will be able to preserve your artwork for generations to come.