Cleaning Solution Suggestion Needed

I have an old wooden frame, gold painted, with a flower & leaf wood cut. It is very dirty. Tried soft scrub but need something that really loosens up the dirt so that it can be washed off. Any suggestions?

You might try using a 50/50 mix of ammonia and water, loosen the dirt with a delicate soft brush. Shake the frame to get dirt off. Then rinse by brushing with a clean soft brush with water only, shake again and let air dry. Better to go with softer than harder brush so it does scrub the color off.

If that doesn't work, test a small area by dabbing a clean cloth using dry cleaning fluid. That should remote grease and oil based dirt.

I would test all sorts of different solutions with a Q Tip. My first thought was a solution of alchol and water. Work on a small area of the back or side of the fame. Add a small amt of dish liquid.

Windex contains a milder solution ofdetergent and amonia so this would be another excellent direction. Try usint the Q Tip and wipe/blot right away. If the finish doesn,t stain the QT you could proceed a bit more aggressively.

Artists would loosen the dirt using something like linseed oil to clean the frame, delicately then proceed with normal antique care. Have you thought to check with a picture-framers' or perhaps a local museum? (I watched my mum clean decades of caked filth off some recovered artworks from her Dad when I was very young)