Clock Maintenance 101: Best Practices

Be Mindful of Humidity and Temperature Indoors

Another clock maintenance tip is to be mindful of the humidity and temperature levels. Much like antique furniture or paintings, clocks can also be delicate and vulnerable to their surrounding indoor environment. If there are large fluctuations in humidity and temperature, this can cause metal clocks to corrode, or for insects to nest within the timepiece. It can also lead to a brittle, damaged finish on wooden clocks, warping, and other complications. To protect your clock year-round, we recommend trying to set the temperature close to 70 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity at 35% to 50% at a minimum. During the summertime, try to maintain 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% to 60% relative humidity. 

Be Careful When Handling

Moving clocks inappropriately, especially delicate ornate ones, is a common way to damage them. Always move your clock with care, paying close attention to avoid banging into any furniture or placing it down aggressively on a surface. Make sure to remove anything that could scratch it such as belts or jewelry, and always grasp clocks from strong, secure areas instead of appendages or decorative elements that could easily break.

Use a Screw to Hang Your Clock

If you plan on hanging your clock on a wall, we suggest using a heavy-duty screw inserted at a 45-degree angle. Screws are more durable and secure, especially for clocks that produce vibrations. If you use a nail, there will be a greater chance of it falling off.

Keep Moths Away

Moths and other insects can sometimes make their way in clocks, typically around the backside of old wooden designs. If you’ve recently opened up your clock to find bugs emerging, you can keep them away by using mothballs. If you’re not a fan of the smell, consider combining dried natural herbs like lavender, cloves, rosemary and thyme in a small bag to hang nearby. Moths and other insects hate the smell of herbs such as these. Plus, they will leave your home smelling much fresher than mothballs.

Get it Serviced by an Expert

For those who have cherished timepieces that they want to maintain for as long as possible, it’s worth having the clock checked and serviced by an expert every five years. A professional will inspect it to identify any damage or worn out parts that need repair or replacing. They can also thoroughly clean and wax it so it will look almost as good as the day you bought it.

Did you know Frankenmuth Clock Company has a full-service repair department? All estimates are free! Call or email to learn more, inquire about estimated wait times, or for your request to be added to our repair waitlist.