Purchasing art can be quite expensive—particularly when you aim to acquire original works. Although I enjoy setting aside funds for a future extravagant purchase (I particularly like using my go-to source for discovering new and upcoming artists),
Tappan Collective
My current budget leans towards picking up items from thrift stores.
Frankly, the finds you can come across when thrift shopping for art are occasionally astonishing. I have assembled complete collections of oil paintings and 18th-century prints with only a few hundred dollars, each possessing a distinctive charm and history that simply cannot be duplicated by anything purchased at a large retail outlet.
The only issue I have? Occasionally, thrift store art can be extremely filthy.
From spider webs and dust to water stains and the distinct smell of tobacco, reintroducing a cherished item into your living space can be quite daunting. However, a conversation I once had with a seller at my go-to thrift shop several years ago completely transformed how I approach this.
How to Clean thrift Store Art (Without Causing Damage)
How to Utilize a Spirit Level
As I was buying a beautiful landscape print from her, she inquired whether I knew how to clean such thrift store finds affordably—imagine my shock when she revealed her tips.
her
go-to was, in fact,
Murphy Oil Soap
. Originally formulated to polish wood surfaces to a shine, Murphy Oil Soap contains 98% natural ingredients, including a formula made from coconut and other plant-derived cleaning ingredients. Translation: It’s especially gentle, which makes it a great option for cleaning not
just
Wood, however, use something else for a gentle touch.
Murphy Oil Original Formula Liquid Soap
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$11.58
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To show me, she applied some diluted oil soap mixed with water onto the artwork and polished it with a cloth, eliminating the grime and utterly transforming my perspective. Inspired, I returned home and conducted my personal cleansing ritual, and from then on, I’ve consistently used this ingenious trick whenever I wish to rejuvenate an acquired piece of art.
Like any cleaning method, refreshing your art with Murphy Oil Soap comes with a few considerations. First off, you never want to undertake an at-home cleaning session if you think your thrifted artwork is worth a significant amount of money. Second piece of advice? When in doubt, go slow. I always start by diluting my oil soap in a bowl of hot water (with a ratio of about 1/4-cup oil soap to a gallon of warm water) and buffing it on with a microfiber cloth, ensuring that you never saturate the artwork (or worse, pour the water onto it). Drying it is important, too – I recommend having a second microfiber cloth on hand to take care of that.
This technique works well for paintings that require minimal care to regain their past splendor (consider issues such as watermarks, accumulated grime or dust, and minor spots). If your painting has more serious damage—such as rips, flaking paint, or major obstructions—it’s better to consult a professional conservator. Personally, knowing about this approach has increased my enthusiasm for seeking out secondhand artworks. It reassures me that a simple cleanup can lead to impressive transformations and stunning final outcomes.
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