How to care for any clock
Most clock trouble comes from the wrong spot, the wrong batteries or skipped servicing. Museum and repair-shop advice for battery and mechanical clocks alike.
Pick the right spot
Where a clock lives matters more than people think. The Henry Ford museum advises keeping wooden clocks away from furnace vents, fireplaces, warm lights and direct sunlight, and keeping painted or varnished cases out of bright light, which can darken, fade or crack the finish.
The museum's guide recommends about 70°F with 35 to 50 percent relative humidity in winter, and 70 to 75°F with 40 to 60 percent in summer, for clocks with wooden cases. For pendulum clocks, level matters too: the Zeeland Historical Society, in a town known for its clock factories, notes that a clock that is not level can be thrown out of balance and stop.
Dusting and cleaning the case
Dust often, with a soft brush or a vacuum fitted with a soft brush attachment. The Henry Ford warns never to wet-clean unfinished wood, and to avoid commercial cleaners made with tung, walnut, linseed or silicone oils, which can darken over time.
Brass needs care too. The museum suggests removing hardware before cleaning it so polish does not touch the wood, and not polishing brass that is lacquered. Wear cotton gloves when handling metal parts, because the oils and salts on your skin cause corrosion. Leave badly damaged finishes to a professional.
Winding and setting the time
Wind a mechanical clock at the same time each week, or every day for a 30-hour clock. The Henry Ford says this helps avoid over-winding, and advises holding the clock steady while you wind.
Museum and historical-society guides say to move the hands only clockwise. Some modern movements are more forgiving: instructions for Hermle weight-driven clocks allow the minute hand to be turned either way. If you do not have the instructions for your clock, clockwise is the safe rule.
See also: winding a mantel clock step by step on OnlineClock.app.
Batteries for quartz clocks
Most battery clock problems are battery problems. The Japan Clock and Watch Association advises replacing dead batteries promptly, removing them if the clock will not be used for a long time, cleaning the contacts before fitting new ones, and never mixing old and new batteries or different types, which can leak or overheat.
Frankenmuth Clock Company recommends alkaline batteries for quartz wall clocks, warns that the lower voltage of rechargeables can make a clock run slow or stall, and suggests replacing batteries at least once a year, since a battery left in for more than a year is much more likely to leak.
See also: battery wall clocks and how to keep them running on OnlineClock.app.
Servicing a mechanical clock
Clock oil slowly dries and gathers dust. The Henry Ford says movements should be inspected, cleaned and oiled by a professional about every five years, using proper clock oil, because poor oil turns sticky. The Zeeland Historical Society suggests an inspection every 5 to 10 years.
Advice varies. Edina Clock, a Minnesota repair shop, reports that Howard Miller now advises oiling every two years, while the shop's own rule is about five years in a clean home. Check your maker's advice, and go sooner if there has been dust from building work.
See also: finding a good clock repair shop on OnlineClock.app.
Moving a clock
Move a clock only when you have to. The Henry Ford says never to move a running weight-driven clock: let it wind down first. Never lift a clock by its handle or drag it, and lift tall case clocks with two people after taking them apart.
The Zeeland Historical Society adds: grip the sturdiest part of the case and remove the weights and pendulum before the move. For a grandfather clock, a clock shop or specialist mover is worth the cost.
Questions people ask
Where should you not put a clock?
Near heating vents, fireplaces, warm lights or in direct sunlight. Heat and light damage wooden cases and finishes, and pendulum clocks need to hang level.
How often should a clock be serviced?
A mechanical clock about every five years, according to The Henry Ford museum. Advice ranges from two to ten years depending on the maker and how clean the home is.
Can I use rechargeable batteries in a wall clock?
Most clock sellers advise against it. Rechargeables run at a lower voltage, which can make a quartz clock run slow or stop. Alkaline batteries are the usual choice.
Can I turn clock hands backward?
The safe rule is to move them only clockwise. Some modern movements allow both directions, so check the instructions for your clock.
Keep exploring
Sources
- Clocks: conservation and care, The Henry Ford
- Clock care tips, Zeeland Historical Society
- What should I be careful about when handling watch/clock batteries?, Japan Clock & Watch Association
- Best batteries for your battery-operated clock, Frankenmuth Clock Company
- How often should I oil my clock?, Edina Clock
- Instructions for weight-driven clocks, The Clock Depot
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