How to clean an old oil painting?

I have two oil paintings by a family member. They are at least 80 years old. They are both in excellent condition, except for the fact that the colors all look dull from age. I imagine there is 80 years worth of dust, smoke, and whatever else on this paint. How can I clean these without damaging the original images under the grime? How to clean an old oil painting?
Contact a professional art restorer. If you try to clean them yourself, you will most likely ruin them. To find an art restorer, contact art galleries or museums in the largest city closest to you. They will have contact info. If one name comes up more than once, that is the person to use. It won't be cheap, but if the paintings are sentimentally valuable, it should be worth it. How to clean an old oil painting?
they should be varnished and should clean up ok,you can got specialised cleaners for oils or yo could try some luke warm water with a little drop of washing liquid in it,try a little bit with a cotton bud first,on the back if you can(if its on stretcher bars you could be lucky and have small bits of the painting on the sides),be careful and patient and if your not sure go to a specialist,good luck
mild dish soap, warm water and soft rag.


Rub in circles without much pressure at all.





If you're really concerned, take it to professional art restorations...but they'll make you pay through the nose.