I have this piece of art I really like. I got it about 15 years ago at a thrift store. I'm not sure what you call this style/medium. The only thing I've seen is "folkart".
It is dingy and I want to clean it. Particularly the white fabric background.
I don't remember exactly what I did but at some point I tried spot cleaning and this was the result:
construction:
base: 1/4" hardboard composite with canvas sort of fabric glued on
hardboard I don't know if this term is regional or well known. It's that brown sheet that is often used on the backside of cheap modern furniture, like a bookshelf. It's smooth on one side and rough on the other.
Top and bottom edges are in a groove of wood molding strips; these are stapled on and can be removed
design is made up of little items glued on: beads, small rocks, cord, ceramic
doesn't seem to be a top coat or anything
There's not really any hidden areas to test.
the glue is quite robust, I have been surprised that hardly anything has fallen off.
Any ideas? Hardboard really can't get wet.
I wish I had properly protected it years ago.
Have you tried taking it to the dry cleaners? I’ve had some success in the past with textile arts using the solution inside the Dryel dry cleaning kit; it required plenty of blotting and patience. FYI: If you go to the cleaners, they will ask what made the stain (e.g., oil, dust, ink, etc.) and some knowledgeable ones will recommend how to clean it or refer you to someone who does.
You’re correct about the backing (hardboard) in that it must not get wet – I could be wrong but it looks like MDF (medium density fiberboard). They will swell up upon contact with water. Good luck.
EDIT: Just wanted to say that you have a lovely piece of folkart.
I thought about recommending that myself, and while I imagine that a dry-cleaner would be more authoritative, it sounds like the chemical they frequently use, "perc", dissolves glue, which is used there to attach the objects.
You're close, hardboard is HDF (high density fiberboard). It may not swell as much as MDF, but water would probably leach glue and stain the canvas, or make it flopsy since it's so thin.