How to Care for and Maintain Your Clocks
Clocks need very little attention, but a few habits keep them accurate, quiet and looking new for years.
Keep it clean
- Dust the face and frame with a soft dry cloth — never spray liquid directly onto a clock.
- For glass, use a barely damp cloth and buff dry to avoid streaks.
- Metal and chrome finishes mark easily; avoid abrasive cleaners.
Batteries and power
- Replace batteries once a year, or as soon as the clock starts losing time.
- Remove the battery if you store a clock away — leaks ruin the movement.
- For USB or mains models, keep the cable clear of pinch points.
Where you place it matters
- Avoid direct sunlight, which fades dials and warps plastic.
- Keep clocks away from steam, damp and heat sources.
- Make sure a heavy wall clock hangs on a fixing rated for its weight.
If it starts ticking loudly or running slow
Nine times out of ten it is a tired battery. If a fresh one does not fix it, check the hands are not catching on the dial or on each other.
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