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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bronwen, post: 321554, member: 5833&quot;]The cameo is shell, with a fair degree of accumulated grunge. All of the advice already given is perfectly sound, if a bit more cautious than is probably necessary for a first time cleaning.</p><p><br /></p><p>Never, ever, any kind of heavy duty cleanser, nothing made for removing stubborn soap scum, killing germs or whitening teeth &amp; no vinegar.&nbsp; No ultrasonic cleaning.&nbsp; For something like this I use a dab of dish washing liquid (think I currently have Palmolive in the kitchen; Dawn is just fine) in tepid tap water &amp; a very long soak, often over night, followed by an energetic brushing with a soft toothbrush.&nbsp; I use a child&#039;s little one for the fine soft bristles; the essential bit is soft.&nbsp; Typically I find, after the lather is rinsed off, that there is still grime in the deeper places.&nbsp; Back into the bubble bath it goes to loosen up the next layer.&nbsp; Since I prefer my cameos pristine, this can take 3 or even more rounds.</p><p><br /></p><p>When you are satisfied with the result, pat dry - paper towel is fine for this - then allow to air dry thoroughly before closing it into any kind of box.</p><p><br /></p><p>Oiling is another matter of personal preference.&nbsp; I do not oil my shell pieces.&nbsp; The reason dish washing liquid works so well is that it is formulated to remove grease, &amp; it is skin oil picked up from handling that leads to cameo grunge in the first place.&nbsp; A good friend who is a devout oiler tells me that with time the oil gets a dull look &amp; the piece has to be cleaned &amp; oiled again to maintain appearance.&nbsp; On the other hand, it may serve to keep the shell hydrated for longer than it would otherwise stay.&nbsp; If you decide to give oiling a try, then you do need to remove the excess with something clean, soft &amp; lint free.</p><p><br /></p><p>No doubt it would make a museum conservator blanch, but I do not worry about using distilled water, etc., as you will sometimes see advised.&nbsp; I occasionally use baking soda toothpaste on shell without problem.&nbsp; Even a brief dunking in jewellery dip mild enough for pearls does no harm, although also does not seem to be especially useful.</p><p><br /></p><p>As long as you do not leave a cameo in conditions that may lead to <a href="https://cameotimes.com/index.php/reference/byne-s-disease" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://cameotimes.com/index.php/reference/byne-s-disease" rel="nofollow">Byne&#039;s &#039;disease&#039;</a> or where some naughty cat will turn it into a plaything...&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie100" alt=":writer:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie92" alt=":turtle:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie30" alt=":cat:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie30" alt=":cat:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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