1. Buy a loaf (two or three loaves if the painting is large) of high-quality doughy bread–a large sourdough works nicely.

2. On a pretty day, take the painting outdoors–or work in on a large drop cloth–since this is an untidy procedure.

3. Using dough pulled from the inside of the loaf; scrub the painting using gentle pressure. You would see the soil collect on the dough. Get a new hunk of dough as the older piece gets filthy or disintegrates. Continue this process over the whole surface of the work.

4. Using a soft bristle brush– such as a fine quality house painting brush–brush the left over dough crumbs off the painting. Go systematically over the entire surface as the dough likes to stick and any remaining crumbs would be an enticement to insects.

Good luck with your spring cleaning!