Tips, Tips and More Tips from January 2012

You can get rid of pests in vintage fabric by freezing the fabric. Fold or roll the item, then put it in a thick, clear freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible, seal the bag and put it in a freezer that reaches –2° F. Leave it 48 hours, completely thaw it and open the package. Then vacuum inside and out to remove dead bug remains.

It is possible to clean a glass insulator. Mix a third of a can of Bar Keepers Friend (found in most grocery stores) with a gallon of water in a non-metal bucket. Put the insulator in the mixture, but be sure the water and the insulator are at the same temperature to avoid stressing the glass. Soak for 12 hours. Scrub the insulator with a nylon pad. Repeat if the insulator does not look clean.

Watch out for fake Bakelite jewelry being made in Taiwan and other Asian countries. The new plastic is heavier than old Bakelite, and if held under hot water it smells very different from old Bakelite. Metal pins or decorations are riveted to old Bakelite but glued to new fakes.

If you have a vintage billiard table, clean it with a pool-table brush or a vacuum with a brush head. Brush the top covering with the nap, not against it.

To prevent spots, always dry silver before putting it away.