Last time I have to do this...need best solutions for cleaning up after my old habit!
Cleaning Tar/Smoke Ideas
- Thread starter azvagabond
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OxyClean for colorfast fabrics, walls woodwork ceilings, floors. And ash trays.
Wear gloves, it's very drying. But best tar cutter in the world, MHO
Wear gloves, it's very drying. But best tar cutter in the world, MHO
coming from a house full of smokers, I can tell you Grease Lightening will cut nicotine off of anything, pretty safely. Always do a test area first though.
You can spray it on your woodwork and watch the disgusting yellow runs as it cuts it lol.
You can use it on clothing so I imagine it's safe for color fast fabric. I've used it on carpet, pergo flooring, walls, wood, light fixtures, just about everything.
Lowes sells 1 gal of industrial strength GL for less than $8. Cheaper than the dollar store.
You can spray it on your woodwork and watch the disgusting yellow runs as it cuts it lol.
You can use it on clothing so I imagine it's safe for color fast fabric. I've used it on carpet, pergo flooring, walls, wood, light fixtures, just about everything.
Lowes sells 1 gal of industrial strength GL for less than $8. Cheaper than the dollar store.
be careful with that. Maybe try a test area with white vinegar. I wouldn't put anything on canvas without doing a test area and letting it dry.
Damp, clean micro fiber cloth works wonders. Test in a corner first. Worked great for me.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to get brave and try something, but I'm not feeling very optimistic.
Any art should be taken to a professional art cleaner. If it's something you care about, don't take a chance doing it on your own. They can do amazing things. The rest, white vinegar. Takes the tar out of anything, especially fabrics.
Well, it's not that it has any special sentimental value or anything. I've had it for a long time, though, and it's huge, but it's actually terribly stained. I didn't realize it until I moved it to another room that made the color almost clash. 
Would you dilute the vinegar? (Surely you would.)
Would you dilute the vinegar? (Surely you would.)
Honestly, as an artist - I would go to a professional. I've had oil and acrylic arts stained by smoking cleaned by them and they do a beautiful job. What I've tried to do myself (and I'm pretty darn good at all DIY stuff) turned out badly. I made a point not to smoke in a room that contained oil or acrylic art because of it.
If it's not a huge rare item, take it to a non-chain art framer. Most of them are huge art fans who not only do a beautiful job of framing - but can also either clean it without harm or recommend a good restorer who can. I've had some incredibly rare items that survived the Holocaust and then years of smoking, storage, etc. restored fairly inexpensively.
If it's not a huge rare item, take it to a non-chain art framer. Most of them are huge art fans who not only do a beautiful job of framing - but can also either clean it without harm or recommend a good restorer who can. I've had some incredibly rare items that survived the Holocaust and then years of smoking, storage, etc. restored fairly inexpensively.
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Thank you very much for the info.
AZVagabond, I hope your job is easier than mine. I didn't mean to send your thread on a tangent, but if you have artwork...
AZVagabond, I hope your job is easier than mine. I didn't mean to send your thread on a tangent, but if you have artwork...
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