You have spent a great deal of time collecting things like fine porcelain figurines such as Giuseppe Armani or Lladro, art glass collectibles such as Orient & Flume paperweights or art pottery such as Ephraim Faience vases and you want to do your best to keep them in the top quality condition. Here are a few tips to help keep your collection looking beautiful.
The prefered way to dust off of your glass figurines is with a small, soft bristled brush. Suggestions would include a painters brush or a makeup brush.
It is best to store your collectibles in an enclosed glass cabinet in order to minimize the exposure to dust. This is extremely helpful in minimizing handling and also keeping these fine collectibles out of reach of children and pets.
A great way to clean a soiled figurine is with warm water, a mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth. Do not use anything abrasive and avoid strong cleaners like bleach or ammonia. These could lead to permanent damage to the piece. Tape up any air holes on the piece, introducing water to the inside could cause permanent structural damamge.
Laying down a towel in the sink before cleaning is a great way to protect against breakage in the event you accidentally drop the piece.
Your delicate collectables are never meant for a dishwasher, avoid this mistake all together. Dishwashers are just too abrasive for these type of items.
Art glass items like Swarovski Crystal glass figurines are much simpler to care for. A mild glass cleaner and a soft cloth is all you need to keep them in proper condition.
Remember to keep glass figurines out of direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight over time will fade their colors.