How to Clean Cuckoo Clocks
The clock mechanism on old and antique cuckoo clocks is complex and requires a great degree of care to not damage. Dust, dirt, and grime needs to be removed from the clock in order to maintain the beauty and proper working of the clock.
Materials
- Compressed air can
- Soft cotton rag
- Ammonia clock solution
- Cotton swabs
Method
- Dust off the outside of the clock with a soft dry rage before opening the clock. Use the proper solution to clean the metal depending upon the type of metal on the pendulums and pendulum stick.
- Exercise caution near the bellows that make the cuckoo sound because they can be delicate.
- Open the clock carefully so that you can access the inside of the clocks mechanism. Be sure not to damage the clock casing because many antique cuckoo clocks can be quite valuable.
- Spray the crevices of the clock with the compressed air to dislodge dust and particles.
- Clean off any old dried up oil from the timekeeping springs, gears, and mechanism. Old oil can slow the clock. Use a one to eight ration of ammonia clock solution to water and mix well. Dab a corner of a clean soft rag into the solution and squeeze excess solution out. Wipe the old oil in a circular motion. Be sure to avoid getting any of the solution into the oil holes.
- Remove dust and debris from the tight inner workings of the clock mechanism using a cotton swab. Gently apply ammonia solution to remove tough grease or grime.