Cleaning methods past and present
Historically servants in large houses would perform a deep clean whenever the owner of the house was away. When the Disraelis were in their London home or travelling, the servants would be able to carry out a thorough deep clean and cover the furniture. Today, Hughenden is open to the public all year round, so the house team carries out the deep clean in front of visitors, providing an opportunity to see how historic interiors are cared for.
The Drawing Room and its contents will be cleaned from top to bottom, while also documenting the condition of objects and identifying any potential problems. Staff and volunteers will be using special brushes to dust into adapted low suction vacuums. Textiles and ceramics will be carefully cleaned, curtains relaxed and furniture checked for damage.
