Wood Kaleidoscopes

It's inevitable that wood kaleidoscopes will inevitably become dusty and dirty. Proper care and cleaning can ensure that your collection of wood kaleidoscopes stays in top condition for years to come. Make it a habit to periodically clean your wood kaleidoscopes using the following tips.

Start with the glass pieces
For wood kaleidoscopes, it's best to clean the glass pieces by applying a glass cleaner onto a cloth, not directly onto the wood kaleidoscope. This should eliminate grime and smudges. If for some reason, the eyepiece on your wood kaleidoscope is foggy, simply use a Q-tip and a glass cleaner to clean.

Cleaning the scope's exterior
Compared to cleaning the eyepiece and object chamber glass, caring for the exterior of wood kaleidoscopes is much easier. Wood kaleidoscopes that are varnished or lacquered typically only require a wipe of a soft cloth to eliminate dust.

However, ones that are not treated generally need more care. Wood kaleidoscopes without a coat of varnish or lacquer will react to atmospheric changes. For this reason, Old English Lemon Cream Furniture Polish is often recommend because it can restore the color, grain, and luster. Just like the glass cleaner, it's best to avoid applying this directly onto the wood kaleidoscopes. Instead, spray some on a soft cloth and then carefully clean the scope's exterior.

Consider this
Whether your wood kaleidoscopes are lacquered or not, it's best to follow these general guidelines to preserve the beauty of your collection.

• Avoid bright lights. Bright lights over a time can cause the appearance of wood kaleidoscopes to fade. Its best to keep them in subdued lighting and out of direct sunlight.
• Watch the humidity in your home or office. Too much moisture can cause your wood kaleidoscopes to swell and mirrors to fog, but too little moisture can cause them to dry and crack.