How To Clean Board Games

Here's How:

1. Determine as best you can what type of stain you're dealing with.
2. Some stains, including water stains and many ink stains are impossible to remove.
3. Many games made after 1860 include coated paper on the box and/or game board. The coated paper is usually shiny and it can often be cleaned fairly easily.
4. Always test your cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the box or board first.
5. Try a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water first.
6. Wash using a damp sponge with a gentle, circular motion.
7. If the soap and water mixture doesn't work, try something a little stronger -- but never use abrasive cleaners.
8. Always watch closely to see if the cleaning process is damaging the game, and stop right away if you notice any problems.
9. Multiple cleanings may be necessary. If so, let the box and/or board dry completely between washings.
10. Wood (sometimes used for game pieces) is sturdier than paper, but if the wood is painted, take the same care with it as you would paper.
11. Clean with, not against, the grain of wood components.

Tips:

1. Try cleaning a game you don't really care about before working on the jewel of your collection. This will allow you to experiment with a variety of soap/water mixtures.

What You Need:

• Board Game
• Water
• Mild Soap
• Sponge