Feb 17th, 2010 | Written by marylyn | Posted in Interior Design |

Wall clock care is an often overlooked factor in clock maintenance. When clock owners consider clock maintenance they usually consider only what to do after a clock breaks. Being reactive in clock maintenance is far more expensive than being proactive, as clocks may contain hundreds, even thousands of tiny, expensive and sometimes very old moving parts.

The first thing to consider, which at first glance may not appear as maintenance, is proper wall hanging. Over the course of your clock’s life, it will bear a great deal of stress on the one or two points of contacts that affix it to it’s position. Those points of contact are very important because if they fail, it can result in catastrophic damage to your clock. To begin, sink your screw anchor at a slight angle upwards to allow your clock to slide down and remain snug against the wall. If you do not do this, over time your clock may tilt forward and pull the screw out of the wall or bend it down. You also need to consider the clock’s own anchor points when deciding what type of anchor to use. Remember to check your anchors as often as you clean your clock, as the act of cleaning and wiping will add stress to the anchor points, which will accumulate over time.

Beyond how your clock is affixed to your wall, clock maintenance will vary greatly depending on what make and model clock you have. You should research the specifics of wall clock care for your exact clock to ensure that it lasts as long as a clock should, which can be several generations. Wall clocks can have a variety of special features to include, but are not limited to, ropes, chains, lines or weights. Some clocks wind by inserting a type of key into a hole, and other clocks may have two or three holes that all need to be wound. Most clocks wind clockwise, but not in all cases and it is up to you to ensure which way to wind your clock.

No matter what type of clock you have, unless you are a trained professional you should not be performing wall clock care beyond what is called “superficial cleaning.” That generally consists of polishing and dusting, wiping down the glass, wood and brass with the appropriate cleaning agents typically found in any household. All other clock maintenance should be done by a professional to minimize the risk of damage. Your clock will thank you, and will be around for many generations to come.

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