Question by flowerchild: What is the proper way to clean and light antique oil lamps?
And the proper care of these lamps?
Best answer:
Answer by fishineasy™
A piece of sponge fastened on the end of a stick or wire is the best thing with which to clean lamp chimneys. Old newspaper will make lamp chimneys sparkling clean. Simply turn the chimney while stuffing in the paper. You will be amazed at the results. Lamp chimneys are made less liable to break by putting in cold water, bringing slowly to boiling point, boiling for an hour, and allowing to cool before removing from the water. If a small hole is broken in a glass chimney, paste on a piece of paper and it will answer its purpose until you get a new chimney. If you use oil, buy the best kerosene. Test it “outside” by placing a very small quantity in a teacup, and if it does not easily ignite when brought in contact with a lighted taper or match, it is good; poor oil will ignite instantly. Keep lamp oil in a cool dark place; keep all the articles used for cleaning, filling, and trimming lamps by themselves. For these purposes provide an old waiter (to hold the things), a lamp filler, pair of scissors or a lamp trimmer, box of wicks, soap, washing soda, and several soft cloths and towels, also a wire hairpin with which to keep open the vent in the burner. When lamps need an extra cleaning, add one tablespoon soda to a quart of water, being careful that none of the bronze or gilding comes in contact with the soda. When the wick becomes too short to carry up the kerosene, and if you have not time to put in a new wick, a small piece of cotton rag pinned on below will prove a good feeder. When the burners of the lamp become gummy and prevent the wicks moving freely, boil them up in suds over the fire a short time, and they will become entirely clean and work well. Lamps may become incrusted inside with settlings from the oil, and ordinary washing will not remove it. Take soapsuds and fill the lamp about one-third full, then put in a little sharp sand, and shake vigorously. A few minutes will remove every particle of settlings.
Important: Always fill the lamps every day and in the daytime; never fill a lamp after dark near a lighted lamp; never light an almost empty lamp, as the empty space is nearly always filled with a very explosive gas. Never fill an oil lamp when lighted. If the lamp wick is dry after filling, allow it to become saturated with oil before lighting. Adjust the wick making sure it is level and trim with scissors if necessary. The wick may have to be adjusted to avoid smoking after lighting. In putting out a lamp, turn the flame down low, and wave a fan, book, or paper across the top of the chimney. Blowing down the chimney is very dangerous when a lamp is nearly empty and turned up high. To prevent lamp wicks from smoking, soak them in vinegar and then dry them thoroughly. Never start a fire in a stove or fireplace with the kerosene lamp oil.
Always be very careful around antique oil lamps, especially when children and young people are present; unlike the youth of Grandma’s day, they are not as aware of the dangers. Lamp oil is quite flammable and should always be used with caution. A dropped oil lamp could explode and destroy a house with fire. Here are a couple of lamp safety tips I learned from my old Dad:
1. Never overfill the container with oil; fill to just over three-quarters full.
2. And always make sure the lamp or lantern is sitting on a stable, level surface and never leave burning lamps unattended.
nfd?
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