How to Clean and Care for Your Wall Art — Making It Last a Lifetime
How to Clean and Care for Your Wall Art — Making It Last a Lifetime
Good art is an investment — and like any investment, it rewards proper care. Whether you have archival prints behind glass, stretched canvas, or unframed posters, the right care routine keeps your art looking exactly as it did the day it arrived. The wrong approach — spray cleaners, damp cloths on canvas, direct sunlight — can cause irreversible damage. This guide covers the right way to care for every type of wall art.
We've been producing archival-quality art prints and canvas prints at facilities since 2015. Our inks are rated to resist fading for 100+ years under proper conditions — this guide explains how to give your art those conditions.
The #1 Rule: Keep Art Out of Direct Sunlight
Ultraviolet light is the primary enemy of wall art. Even archival inks — which are dramatically more fade-resistant than standard printing — will degrade faster under direct sunlight. Position art away from windows that receive direct sun throughout the day. If your room is sun-drenched, frame prints behind UV-protective glass, which filters out most UV radiation.
A north-facing wall (in the southern hemisphere) receives minimal direct sunlight and is the ideal position for art in most Australian homes. East-facing walls get morning light (less damaging than afternoon sun). West and northwest walls receive the most intense afternoon sun — hang art here only with UV glass protection.
Cleaning Framed Art Prints Behind Glass
Framed art prints behind glass are the easiest to care for because the glass protects the print completely. For regular cleaning, use a dry microfibre cloth to dust the glass. For smudges, apply a small amount of glass cleaner to your cloth (never spray directly onto the frame), then wipe and buff dry.
Clean the frame itself with a dry soft cloth. For timber frames (oak), a very slightly damp cloth followed by an immediate dry wipe removes dirt without raising the wood grain. For metal or painted frames, a dry cloth is sufficient. Never use abrasive cleaners or rough cloths on any frame material — they leave fine scratches.
Check the hanging hardware every six months. Hooks can loosen slightly over time, especially in older walls. A loose hook is how accidents happen — a 30-second check twice a year is excellent insurance.
Cleaning and Caring for Canvas Prints
Canvas prints require more careful handling than framed prints because the ink sits on the surface of the canvas without glass protection. For dust, use a soft natural-bristle brush or clean microfibre cloth and brush very gently — never scrub. Dust from top to bottom to avoid moving particles into corners.
Never use water or any liquid cleaner on a canvas print. Water causes canvas to warp and can lift or smear inks. If a canvas has a small mark that isn't dust, consult a conservator — DIY cleaning attempts almost always cause more damage than the original mark.
Canvas prints benefit from rooms with stable humidity. Very high humidity — steam bathrooms, rooms near dishwashers — can cause canvas to absorb moisture and lose tension over time. In tropical climates, framed prints behind glass are a more resilient choice.
Every piece is produced at our two manufacturing facilities on of NSW — crafting Australian wall art since 2015. We deliver to over 40 countries worldwide, with custom sizing available on all prints. Over a decade of experience, every order ships within 24 hours with our satisfaction guarantee.
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Art prints dispatched next business day, Australia-wide.
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If it arrives damaged or doesn't perform as described, we'll replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean wall art?
For framed art behind glass, use a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth on the glass surface — never spray cleaner directly onto the glass as it can seep behind the frame. For canvas prints, dust lightly with a dry soft brush or microfibre cloth. Never use water or cleaning products on canvas or unframed prints.
How do you care for canvas art?
Keep canvas away from direct sunlight, which fades inks over time regardless of archival quality. Avoid high-humidity environments. Dust regularly with a soft dry brush. Never use water or chemical cleaners on canvas. If a canvas gets a small mark, consult a conservator rather than attempting DIY removal — most mark-removal attempts cause more damage than the original mark.
Does wall art fade over time?
All art fades eventually, but archival-quality inks fade dramatically slower than standard printing. Our art prints use archival inks rated to 100+ years when displayed behind UV-protective glass. The single best thing you can do to preserve art is keep it out of direct sunlight.
How do you protect art prints?
Frame your art prints behind UV-protective glass — this is the single most effective protection against fading. Keep art out of direct sunlight. Avoid hanging prints in high-humidity spaces. When storing prints temporarily, roll them in acid-free tissue rather than folding.
How do you clean a framed picture?
Clean the glass with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with water or glass cleaner — applied to the cloth, never sprayed directly. Clean the frame with a dry cloth. Dust is the most common issue with framed art; regular light dusting prevents build-up that requires more aggressive cleaning later.
Art That's Built to Last
Every Olive et Oriel print is produced with archival inks rated to 100+ years. Shop art prints, canvas and framed art — made in Australia, shipped next business day.
