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A guide to taking care of your awards

Your awards are a reflection of your hard work and success. However, awards tend to experience a lot of wear and tear over time. You need to apply special care to keep them looking their best.

Dust them regularly with a soft, dry cloth

Just like other pieces in your home, you can accumulate dust over time. This is because dust particles are attracted to the electrostatic charge on the surface of your awards. To prevent this, you should dust them regularly.

Usually, a quick dusting with a soft, dry cloth is all your awards need to keep them looking shiny and new. Gently wipe away any dust build-up on the surface. If awards are located in a high-traffic area, you may need to dust them more frequently.

Some people use Pledge furniture polish to dust their awards. However, this is not recommended as it can leave a residue on the surface of your awards. If you live in a humid climate, you may also need to polish your awards more frequently to prevent them from tarnishing.

Handle them with care

Your awards are delicate and should be handled with care. Avoid dropping or banging them against hard surfaces as this can damage the finish. Also, be careful not to scratch the surface of your awards when cleaning them.

If you need to move your gifts, make sure to lift them gently and support the bottom so that they don’t tilt or wobble. Some awards are made with fragile materials, like glass or crystal. These should be handled even more carefully to avoid breakage. Others may not be as delicate but need to be handled with care to avoid damage.

When in doubt, err on caution and handle your gifts gently. You’ve probably heard the saying, “treat others how you want to be treated”. The same goes for your gifts.

Store them properly

Your awards need to be stored in a cool, dry place. If possible, store them in a climate-controlled environment to prevent tarnishing or discoloring. Avoid storing your awards in direct sunlight as this can cause fading. You should also avoid storing them near heating vents or other sources of heat as this can cause them to warp.

When not on display, wrap your gifts in soft cloths or acid-free tissue paper to prevent them from scratching. If you’re storing multiple awards together, ensure they’re not touching each other, as this can cause scratching.

If you have the space, consider storing yours in a glass cabinet or display case. This will help protect them from damage and keep them looking their best.

Clean them periodically

Even if you dust and handle your awards carefully, they will eventually need to be cleaned. Depending on the material your gifts are made from, you may need to use different cleaning methods.

For example, clean most metal awards with a mild soap and water solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as these can damage the finish. To clean crystal or glass awards, you can use a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water. Again, avoid using harsh chemicals as these can damage the surface.

For more delicate materials, like wood, you may need to consult a professional for cleaning advice. If you have custom trophies, ask the manufacturer how to best clean and care for them.

Protect them from damage

One of the best ways to protect dreams is to insure them. This way, if they’re ever lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get them replaced. You can purchase insurance for your awards through a variety of companies.

You should also protect your awards from damage while they’re in storage. If you have a glass cabinet, ensure it’s securely anchored to the wall. This will help prevent it from tipping over and shattering awards.

You may also consider installing security features like alarms or motion sensors to deter thieves. And, if you’re storing it in a safe, keep it locked at all times.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that will be around for years to come. You wouldn’t want all your hard work to go to waste, would you?