Lithograph Cleaning
Lithography is a printing method which uses oil and grease crayons to create a mirrored image over the smooth surface of a stone or metal plate. Whether you own a lithograph portrait or even a lunchbox, you may take into consideration that time and a polluted environment will dirty your lithograph with allergens, dust or even pet hair.
Use of Chemicals
If you don't know how your lithograph will respond to chemicals, try using simple damp cloths to remove the soil or dirt. On the other hand, if you are fully conscious that using a certain chemical cleaning-spray won't harm your lithograph, then there is no problem to use it. Sodium hypochlorite (main element in bleaching products), may cause acidification in the lithograph. If you are using any other chemicals use them first in an inconspicuous spot in order to avoid possible hazards.
However, when you use chemicals, make sure you use a neutralizing vacuum. Chemicals with high concentration might leave unwanted stains on your litho. Even then, if you still worry about possible and unforeseen accidents when using chemicals, consider hiring an expert.
Foxing
Time is the main major factor that threatens lithographs. Whether there might be moisture or oxidation problems, the owner should always be careful. One of the most common problems is foxing. Foxing occurs when humidity and fungi cause brown blotches to appear in the surface of the lithograph. To wipe these out, first check the condition of your paper. If the litho is too thin, we recommend you to seek advice from an expert in the cleaning field. Nevertheless, if the paper is resilient enough, prepare a bleaching solution by using distilled water and hydrogen peroxide. Be sure you're wearing gloves and an apron to avoid safety hazards. Also, put your lithograph over a towel, since paper or other delicate material may upset the cleaning process. Once you have already prepared the solution, gently pour a few drops onto a cotton swab and pass it over the brown blotch every 30 minutes for four hours. When the time is up, gently apply hydrogen peroxide over the spot. After this, leave the paper in a safe place, away from fungi, humidity or other risk factors, and let it dry. Again, if you are unsure of the possible side effects that chemical solutions will have in your litho, seek help from an expert.
