High light levels can cause paintings to darken and/or fade, even to the point where the details of the painting are no longer visible. Also, it can cause damage by heat build-up.
*Put your paintings in dim areas where they will not be in direct sunlight.
*Avoid putting lights directly above the picture; light should be at least 10 feet away.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY LEVELS
Extreme temperatures and inconsistency of temperatures also causes damage. It causes the wood and fabric to expand/shrink. Wood and fabric absorb moisture which causes them to swell on humid days and conversely shrink on dry days. However, the paint cracks and flakes off when the fabric and wood structure continuously expands and shrinks.
*Do not key out paintings during the winter (the humidity is lower, and may cause the paintings to tear)
*Moniter the temperature/humidity in different rooms to determine the best place for the painting. appropriate temperatures at various parts of the year are as follows:
*Winter: Temperature 65-70 degrees F
*Relative Humidity 40%-45%
*Summer: Temperature 70-75 degrees F
*Relative Humidity 45-55%
*Avoid hanging paintings in basements, since there is a greater humidity that can cause the painting can mold.
*This can be done by insuring that paintings are kept away from heat sources such as furnace vents, fire places, warm lights and direct sunlight.
DIRT
Dirt can cause a mold growth, as well as the absorption of pollutants and moisture.
*Do not hang paintings around candles or fireplaces or in smoking areas.
INSECTS
There are many, but the main two are carpet beetles and powder post beetles.
*Carpet beetles eat protein-based materials that can be found in canvas paintings. The little buggers can be found between the canvas and the stretcher. You know you've got 'em if you find holes in canvases or worm-like insects or furry carcasses.
*Powder post beetles "drill" 2mm holes into wood, which is the first visible evidence of their existence. Take down your paintings often to check for infestation, and if found, place painting in a plastic bag and isolate it until it can be taken to a professional conservator.
IMPROPER CLEANING
Here are some simple tricks you can use to increase the life of your favorite painting:
*You can use soft brushes to remove surface dirt. Be careful not to flex the canvas or dislodge paint chips.
*Keep the back of the painting clean by brushing or vacuuming it. To do so, first remove it from its frame and place face-down on a clean surface.
*If surface dirt cannot be removed by dusting, dampan a cotton swab with distilled water and lightly roll on the surface.
*If there is flaking paint, do not attempt to clean it, as you will brush off the paint.
