possible to clean the backing fabric of this art? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by to_go@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have this piece of art I really like. I got it about 15 years ago at a thrift store. I'm not sure what you call this style/medium. The only thing I've seen is "folkart".

It is dingy and I want to clean it. Particularly the white fabric background.

I don't remember exactly what I did but at some point I tried spot cleaning and this was the result:

construction:

base: 1/4" hardboard composite with canvas sort of fabric glued on

hardboard I don't know if this term is regional or well known. It's that brown sheet that is often used on the backside of cheap modern furniture, like a bookshelf. It's smooth on one side and rough on the other.

Top and bottom edges are in a groove of wood molding strips; these are stapled on and can be removed

design is made up of little items glued on: beads, small rocks, cord, ceramic

doesn't seem to be a top coat or anything

There's not really any hidden areas to test.

the glue is quite robust, I have been surprised that hardly anything has fallen off.

Any ideas? Hardboard really can't get wet.

I wish I had properly protected it years ago.

top 6 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] Tangerine@scribe.disroot.org 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Have you tried taking it to the dry cleaners? I’ve had some success in the past with textile arts using the solution inside the Dryel dry cleaning kit; it required plenty of blotting and patience. FYI: If you go to the cleaners, they will ask what made the stain (e.g., oil, dust, ink, etc.) and some knowledgeable ones will recommend how to clean it or refer you to someone who does.

You’re correct about the backing (hardboard) in that it must not get wet – I could be wrong but it looks like MDF (medium density fiberboard). They will swell up upon contact with water. Good luck.

EDIT: Just wanted to say that you have a lovely piece of folkart.

[-] tal@olio.cafe 1 points 4 months ago

I thought about recommending that myself, and while I imagine that a dry-cleaner would be more authoritative, it sounds like the chemical they frequently use, "perc", dissolves glue, which is used there to attach the objects.

[-] Cort@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

I could be wrong but it looks like MDF (medium density fiberboard)

You're close, hardboard is HDF (high density fiberboard). It may not swell as much as MDF, but water would probably leach glue and stain the canvas, or make it flopsy since it's so thin.

[-] tal@olio.cafe 1 points 4 months ago

Have you tried using a vacuum cleaner?

[-] to_go@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 months ago

hmmm I don't recall. Would be worth trying. Maybe a shop vac or something really strong would be able to suck off some dirt. If I had access to one. I'll try the one I have.

[-] ComfortableRaspberry@feddit.org 0 points 4 months ago

Your first tries on spot cleaning look to me like the canvas was painted in white. So I'd look for options to clean paintings and maybe retouch the spot you tried to clean with white paint.

This seems to be a pretty detailed guide.

this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2025

1 points (100.0% liked)

Ask Lemmy

36786 readers

144 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions

Rules: (interactive)

1) Be nice and; have fun

Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them

2) All posts must end with a '?'

This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?

3) No spam

Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.

4) NSFW is okay, within reason

Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].

5) This is not a support community.

It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.

6) No US Politics.

Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online

Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.