How to Clean Gold Leaf Furniture

Gold leaf furniture is made by pressing a thin foil made of pure gold over a wooden or metal subsurface, often over a base layer of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of glue and chalk or gypsum, usually colored white. Because of the delicate nature of the gold leaf foil, rough cleaning can destroy the surface, exposing the gesso beneath. Gentle dusting with a soft brush is the best general cleaning method, but occasionally you will need to clean the gold leaf more thoroughly to remove grease and dirt.

Fresh lemon
1 tbsp. baking soda
Pint container
Sponge
Soft, lint-free cloth
Cotton swabs

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a fresh lemon into wedges. Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda into 1 pint of lukewarm water until dissolved.
- 2
  Rub the cut edge of one of the lemon wedges over a 2-by-2-inch section of the gold leaf. Get the juice down into all of the crevices.
- 3
  Dip a sponge in the solution of baking soda and water. Dab the sponge over the same 2-by-2-inch area to neutralize the acidity of the lemon juice.
- 4
  Dry the area with a soft, lint-free cloth. Use a cotton swab to dry the crevices. Do not rub the finish; just blot up the moisture gently.
- 5
  Repeat the application of lemon juice followed by baking soda solution on the next 2-by-2-inch area and dry it. Continue until the entire surface is clean.

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