How to Clean Cloisonne

Written By
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith
Published: Jun 19, 2009
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
1 minute read

Many people collect cloisonne clocks, jewelry and other fine art pieces. The metal designs under the enamel or glass of cloisonne separate these pieces of art from others. Intricate patterns and fine details are part of the cloisonne traditional design. It is important to be able to clean these pieces without removing the outer finish. Here's how.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Lint-Free Jeweler’S Cleaning Cloths
  • Lint-Free Towel
  • Instructions

    Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before handling cloisonne pieces. You do not want the oily residue from your hands depositing on the collector’s piece.

    Set the cloisonne piece on a lint-free towel. This will cushion it while you are cleaning it.

    Using a lint-free jeweler’s cloth, wipe small sections of the item in small, circular motions. When the cloth is dirty, set it aside. Continue cleaning with a fresh cleaning cloth.

    Warnings:

    • Never use abrasive cleaners on cloisonne pieces because they can scratch and damage the items. Never use a feather duster on cloisonne items because it can dislodge portions of the piece.

    References

    Daniel Smith

    Daniel Smith graduated from technical school in 1993 and has been writing since 2005. His has written numerous articles for the instructional website called eHow in areas including gardening, home improvement, celebrating special events…

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