Can you store a painting in a regular closet? Yes, you can store a painting in a regular closet, but it’s crucial to do so with care to ensure its safety and longevity. Proper storage of a painting is paramount for its art preservation. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to protect your valuable artwork, whether it’s a cherished family heirloom or a recent acquisition. We’ll cover everything from canvas care to creating the ideal environment, ensuring your painting remains in excellent condition for years to come.
Preparing Your Painting for Storage
Before you even think about where to put your painting, a few preparatory steps are essential. Think of this as getting your artwork ready for a comfortable and safe retirement from public view.
Cleaning Your Painting
A gentle cleaning can remove dust and grime that might attract pests or cause damage over time.
What to Use for Cleaning
- Soft Brushes: Use a very soft, natural-bristle brush (like a makeup brush or a soft paintbrush) to gently sweep away loose dust. Always brush away from the edges of the paint.
- Dry, Lint-Free Cloths: For slightly more stubborn dust, a soft, dry, lint-free cloth can be used with extreme care.
- Specialized Art Cleaners (Use with Caution): For oil paintings, specialized art cleaning solutions exist, but these should ideally be used by a professional conservator. For acrylics, a slightly damp (not wet) soft cloth might be used sparingly, but test in an inconspicuous area first.
What to Avoid During Cleaning
- Water: Never use water directly on a painting, especially on the paint surface. Water can cause paint to blister, lift, or react negatively with certain mediums.
- Household Cleaners: Avoid any ammonia-based cleaners, glass cleaner, or all-purpose cleaners. These are far too harsh for delicate artwork.
- Oils or Waxes: Do not apply any oils or waxes to the painting surface. These can attract dirt and yellow over time, potentially damaging the paint.
- Rubbing: Never rub the surface of the painting. This can abrade the paint layer, varnish, or ground.
Inspecting for Damage
Before storing, thoroughly examine your painting for any existing damage.
- Cracks or Flaking Paint: Note any areas where the paint is lifting or cracking. These areas are vulnerable and may need professional attention before storage.
- Tears or Holes: Inspect the canvas for any tears, punctures, or holes.
- Frame Condition: Check the frame for loose joints, protruding nails, or insect damage. A damaged frame can compromise the painting’s integrity.
- Varnish Issues: Look for yellowing, clouding, or cracking in the varnish layer.
Packing and Protecting Your Framed Artwork
Once your painting is clean and inspected, it’s time to pack it for safe keeping. This is where framed artwork needs special attention.
Protecting the Surface
The most vulnerable part of a painting is its surface.
Methods for Surface Protection
- Glassine Paper: This is a translucent, acid-free paper that is ideal for covering the face of the painting. It offers protection without sticking to the paint or varnish.
- Place the glassine paper directly against the painting’s surface, gently taping it to the edges of the stretcher bars or the back of the frame, not the paint itself.
- Acid-Free Cardboard or Foam Board: After the glassine, you can add a layer of acid-free cardboard or foam board for an extra barrier against dust and minor impacts. This layer should also be secured to the frame edges.
Securing the Frame
The frame provides structural support and needs to be protected.
Frame Protection Techniques
- Corner Protectors: Use custom-cut acid-free cardboard or foam corner protectors to shield the frame’s corners from bumps.
- Bubble Wrap: Wrap the entire framed artwork in a generous layer of bubble wrap. Ensure the bubbles are facing outwards to prevent indentations on the frame or painting. For very valuable pieces, consider using archival-quality bubble wrap or foam sheeting.
Choosing the Right Packing Materials
The materials you choose are crucial for long-term art preservation.
Essential Packing Materials
- Acid-Free Materials: Always opt for materials labeled “acid-free” or “archival quality.” This prevents acidic materials from leaching into the artwork over time and causing deterioration.
- Sturdy Boxes or Crates: For paintings of any significant size or value, using sturdy cardboard boxes or, for ultimate protection, custom-built wooden crates is recommended.
- Packing Tape: Use strong packing tape to secure the box or crate.
Packing for Different Types of Paintings
- Smaller Paintings: Can be placed in appropriately sized acid-free boxes. Ensure there’s enough padding so the painting doesn’t shift.
- Larger Paintings: May require custom-made crates or reinforced cardboard boxes. If stacking, ensure they are packed in a way that prevents pressure on the artwork.
Creating the Optimal Storage Environment
The environment in which you store your painting has a profound impact on its longevity. This is where climate control and humidity control become critical factors.
Temperature Considerations
Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause materials to expand and contract, leading to stress on the painting.
Ideal Temperature Ranges
- Consistent, Cool Temperatures: Aim for a stable temperature between 65°F and 70°F (18°C to 21°C). Avoid attics, basements, or garages, which often experience significant temperature swings.
- Avoid Extremes: Never store paintings in areas that get very hot or very cold.
Humidity Management
Humidity is one of the biggest enemies of artwork.
Ideal Humidity Levels
- Moderate Humidity: The ideal relative humidity (RH) for storing paintings is between 45% and 55%.
- Too Low Humidity: Can cause canvases to become brittle and crack. Paint layers may also become prone to flaking.
- Too High Humidity: Can promote mold growth, cause canvas to slacken, and potentially lead to paint lifting or bubbling. It can also react with certain framing materials.
Strategies for Humidity Control
- Dehumidifiers/Humidifiers: For dedicated art storage spaces, consider using a small, reliable dehumidifier or humidifier. Use a hygrometer to monitor the levels accurately.
- Avoid Damp Areas: Never store paintings in bathrooms, kitchens, or near leaks.
- Ventilation: Ensure the storage area has some air circulation to prevent stagnant, humid air pockets.
Light Exposure
Light, especially UV light, can fade pigments and degrade materials over time.
Minimizing Light Damage
- Darkness is Best: Store paintings in a dark environment. Closets, dedicated storage rooms, or rooms with blackout curtains are ideal.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Never place a painting where it will be exposed to direct sunlight, even through a window.
- Low UV Lighting: If the storage area needs lighting, use low-UV emitting bulbs (like LEDs).
Pest Prevention
Insects and rodents can cause significant damage to artworks.
Keeping Pests Away
- Cleanliness: Keep the storage area clean and free of food crumbs or debris.
- Sealed Containers: Ensure paintings are well-wrapped and, if in boxes, that the boxes are sealed to prevent entry.
- Regular Checks: Periodically inspect the storage area and the paintings for any signs of pest activity.
- Avoid Storing Near Food Sources: Do not store artwork near food pantries or areas where pets are fed.
Where to Store Your Paintings at Home
Choosing the right location in your home is crucial for successful storing art at home.
Ideal Locations
- Interior Closets: Well-ventilated interior closets on the main living floor are often the best choice. Avoid closets directly adjacent to bathrooms or kitchens where humidity might be higher.
- Guest Bedrooms: If climate-controlled, a guest bedroom can be a suitable spot.
- Dedicated Storage Rooms: If you have a climate-controlled room designed for storage, this is ideal.
Locations to Avoid
- Attics: Prone to extreme temperature fluctuations and often high humidity.
- Basements: Can be damp, prone to flooding, and have poor air circulation.
- Garages: Subject to extreme temperatures, humidity, and potential pest issues.
- Near Exterior Walls or Windows: These areas are more susceptible to temperature changes and drafts.
- Near Heating/Cooling Vents: Direct airflow can cause rapid temperature and humidity changes.
Storing Paintings Without a Frame
Some artworks might not be framed or might require specific handling for unframed canvases. This relates to canvas care in a broader sense.
Protecting Unframed Canvas
- Glassine or Acid-Free Tissue: Wrap the entire surface with glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper.
- Cardboard Support: Place a piece of acid-free cardboard or foam board on both the front and back of the painting for rigidity and protection.
- Sealed Packaging: Place the protected painting in a sturdy, acid-free envelope or a specialized art storage sleeve. For larger pieces, a custom-made archival box is best.
- Storage Position: Unframed canvases should generally be stored upright, leaning against a wall, or stacked with sufficient padding between each piece. Avoid lying them flat for extended periods, as this can cause the canvas to sag.
Storing Paintings Vertically vs. Horizontally
How you orient your painting during storage can prevent damage.
Vertical Storage
- Advantages: This is generally the preferred method for framed artwork. It reduces stress on the canvas and frame, especially for larger pieces, preventing sagging or warping. It also makes them easier to access and less likely to be damaged by weight from above.
- How to Do It:
- Ensure the painting is upright and stable.
- Lean it against a wall, but not directly touching the wall if possible (use blocks of wood or archival foam at the bottom and sides to create a slight air gap).
- If storing multiple paintings vertically, place archival padding (like foam board or heavy-duty cardboard) between each one.
Horizontal Storage
- When It’s Acceptable: Smaller, lighter framed pieces or unframed canvases (with proper support) can be stored horizontally.
- Risks: Stacking heavy items on top of paintings stored horizontally can cause damage, especially to the canvas and frame. The weight can lead to sagging or even cracking of the paint layer over time.
- How to Do It Safely:
- If stacking, ensure you are only stacking paintings of similar size and weight.
- Place a rigid, acid-free material (like foam board or plywood) between each painting.
- Never stack more than two or three paintings, especially if they are large or valuable.
- Avoid storing anything heavy on top of horizontally stored artwork.
Long-Term Storage Considerations
For those planning to store their art for many years, thinking about archival storage principles is key.
Regular Monitoring
Even in the best conditions, it’s wise to check on your stored artwork periodically.
What to Look For
- Environmental Changes: Check the temperature and humidity levels.
- Pest Activity: Look for any signs of insects or rodents.
- Material Degradation: Inspect the packing materials, frame, and the artwork itself for any new signs of damage or deterioration.
Professional Conservation
For very valuable or fragile pieces, consulting a professional art conservator is highly recommended.
When to Seek Professional Help
- Significant Damage: If you found significant damage during your inspection.
- Valuable Artwork: For pieces with high monetary or sentimental value.
- Uncertainty: If you are unsure about the best course of action for canvas care or any other aspect of preservation.
- Long-Term Archives: If you are building a museum-quality collection, professional advice is invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use bubble wrap directly on the painting’s surface?
No, you should never use bubble wrap directly on the painting’s surface. The plastic can stick to the paint or varnish, especially in warmer temperatures, and cause damage when removed. Always use glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper as the first layer of protection against the artwork.
Q2: Is it okay to store paintings in my garage?
It is generally not recommended to store paintings in a garage. Garages are typically not climate-controlled and experience significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity. These extremes can lead to irreversible damage to the canvas, paint, and frame.
Q3: What is the best way to store unframed canvases?
Unframed canvases should be protected with glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper on the front. Then, place a rigid support (like acid-free foam board) on both the front and back. Store them upright, leaning against a wall with padding, or stacked with protective materials between them. Avoid lying them flat for extended periods.
Q4: How often should I check on my stored paintings?
For long-term storage, it’s a good practice to check on your paintings at least once a year. This allows you to monitor the environmental conditions and inspect for any signs of damage or pest activity.
Q5: What if my painting has a glass front?
If your painting has a glass front, ensure the glass is securely in place. Before wrapping, you might still want to cover the painting surface with glassine paper, especially if the canvas is raised or the frame is deep. The primary concern for glass-fronted artwork is protecting the frame and preventing the glass from breaking.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your paintings are stored safely and properly, preserving their beauty and integrity for future generations. Proper handling paintings and consistent environmental control are the cornerstones of effective art preservation.