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How to Clean a Spring-Wound Clock

Dust, when allowed to accumulate, turns into grime that hides the luster of your spring-wound clock’s finish. Dust the clock weekly and give it a thorough cleaning once a month. Regular cleaning not only keeps it looking good but helps to prevent tiny “creepy-crawlies” from taking up residence within its interior. You likely already have the cleaning supplies you need on hand.

Things You'll Need

  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Container
  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • 2 glass jars with screw lids
  • Rags
  • Scissors
  • Paper towels
  • Pressurized air
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Instructions

    • 1

      Blend 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice in a container. When thoroughly mixed, the two ingredients blend to form furniture polish.

    • 2

      Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of water into a jar to create a glass cleaning solution.

    • 3

      Cut a rag to about an 8-inch square and fold it in half. Shake the jar of oil and lemon juice and dip the rag into the solution -- just enough to saturate the material. Rub the surface of the clock in the same direction as the grain. Begin on a top side of the clock and work your way down the side, across the front and up the other side, finishing with the top.

    • 4

      Fold a clean rag to fit the palm of your hand and buff the clock. Apply slight pressure to the rag and buff briskly to enhance the luster of the clock case.

    • 5

      Fold a paper towel several times to form a small applicator pad. Shake the jar containing vinegar and water and drizzle a few drops on the pad. Clean the inside of the glass with the solution and wipe dry with another paper towel. Repeat the process on the outside of the glass.

    • 6

      Open the door on the back of the clock to expose the inner workings, or gears, of the clock. Aim a can of pressurized air at the gears and fire a short burst of air in their direction. Repeat the process one more time.The blasts of air remove dust and dirt particles that might have accumulated within the clock works.