I am sure since you are reading this that you care for puzzles but how much do you care?
Puzzle maintenance and preservation is an essential part of the longevity and playability of your puzzle whether it be made of wood, metal or plastic. Some higher end, collectable puzzles need to be kept in certain conditions to avoid mechanisms jamming. All puzzles can need care after some use and today we are going to be running you through some techniques that we have gathered over the years. The short answer is that if you want to keep your puzzles as fresh as possible wearing gloves and using a puzzle mat is the closest thing to foolproof that you could have but here are some suggestions we have.
Wooden Puzzles
All wood will want some care over time, oils and dirt from our hands will seep into the wood and cause it to darken and feel different this is inevitable but can be extended with good care. Another factor to take into account is heat and humidity with more complex wooden puzzles humidity is a big factor in taking care of your puzzles, differences in humidity can shrink and expand the wood and smaller components of a puzzle may be hindered if this is changed drastically especially if combined with sunlight which could dry the wood out completely.
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Always wash your hands before playing with wooden puzzles.
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Store your puzzles in a cool dark place with low humidity whenever possible.
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Keep away from direct sunlight this can taint the colour of the wood and dry out the wood causing playability issues.
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Apply natural wax such as beeswax sparingly when needed to revitalise the grain and feel of the wood while protecting the puzzle somewhat from the elements.
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If needed wash with a microfibre cloth and a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar or warm water with a tiny bit of dish soap.
Metal Puzzles
Metal puzzles come in various varieties so each puzzle will require different forms of care but we will try and generalise what we can. Brass is a super temperamental metal, it gets scratched and marked a lot easier than others and once scratches happen, without expensive tools and machinery you will not be able to restore it completely. You can use Brasso or Silvo with brass and other types of metal with a lint-free cloth to polish it up and hide imperfections which will bring back a shine and
Plastic Puzzles
The process for how to clean plastic puzzles is a lot easier than other types of material, acrylic is strong and durable. Outside of some severe staining possibilities it's mostly possible to wipe clean so most regular cleaners and disinfectants shouldn't have an effect on the playability or colour but for the sake of keeping things simple we recommend just using warm water and a splash of dish soap to clean regularly.
In summary, effective puzzle maintenance not only improves your playing experience but also enhances your enjoyment of your collection. Following these puzzle cleaning tips will help you keep your puzzles looking and performing their best for years to come.
