Be Mindful of Humidity and Temperature Indoors
Another clock maintenance tip is to be mindful of the humidity and temperature levels. Much like antique furniture or paintings, clocks can also be delicate and vulnerable to their surrounding indoor environment. If there are large fluctuations in humidity and temperature, this can cause metal clocks to corrode, or for insects to nest within the timepiece. It can also lead to a brittle, damaged finish on wooden clocks, warping, and other complications. To protect your clock year-round, we recommend trying to set the temperature close to 21 degrees with relative humidity at 35 to 50 per cent at a minimum. During the summertime, try to maintain 21 to 24 degrees and 40 to 60 per cent relative humidity.
Be Careful When Handling
Moving clocks inappropriately, especially delicate ornate ones, is a common way to damage them. Always move your clock with care, paying close attention to avoid banging into any furniture or placing it down aggressively on a surface. Make sure to remove anything that could scratch it such as belts or jewelry, and always grasp clocks from strong, secure areas instead of appendages or decorative elements that could easily break.
Use a Screw to Hang Your Clock
If you plan on hanging your clock on a wall, we suggest using a heavy-duty screw inserted at a 45-degree angle. Screws are more durable and secure, especially for clocks that produce vibrations. If you use a nail, there will be a greater chance of it falling off.
Keep Moths Away
Moths and other insects can sometimes make their way in clocks, typically around the backside of old wooden designs. If you’ve recently opened up your clock to find bugs emerging, you can keep them away by using mothballs. If you’re not a fan of the smell, consider combining dried natural herbs like lavender, cloves, rosemary and thyme in a small bag to hang nearby. Moths and other insects hate the smell of herbs such as these. Plus, they will leave your home smelling much fresher than mothballs.
Get it Serviced by an Expert
For those who have cherished timepieces that they want to maintain for as long as possible, it’s worth having the clock checked and serviced by an expert every five years. A professional will inspect it to identify any damage or worn out parts that need repair or replacing. They can also thoroughly clean and wax it so it will look almost as good as the day you bought it.
Credited:frankenmuthclock
