Blenheim Palace has commenced its annual deep clean, a meticulous process aimed at preserving the UNESCO World Heritage Site's historic interiors. This year, the cleaning effort coincides with a vital £12 million roof restoration project, adding complexity to the task as the team navigates inaccessible areas and increased dust levels.
The deep clean, which started on 7 January in the Long Library, is expected to take six to eight weeks. It involves cleaning every aspect of the palace's interiors, from silverware and sculptures to tables and tapestries. The process includes specialist care for 18 clocks, 38 pieces of armour, and 40 busts and sculptures, using methods such as distilled water and avoiding aerosol sprays.
Chandeliers in the State Rooms are a particular focus this year, with delicate crystal and glass elements being cleaned at height. The team will also monitor the condition of the walls for structural shifts, working closely with the Build Heritage team to ensure the palace's safety.
Visitors are invited to learn about the conservation efforts through Restoration and Conservation tours, running daily at 14:00 from 7 January to 14 February. Carmen Alvarez, Collections and Conservation Manager, emphasised the importance of the clean, stating, "The annual deep clean is a vital part of how we care for Blenheim Palace and its collections."
The tours are included with a valid Palace & Gardens Ticket or Palace and Play Pass, offering access to Blenheim Palace and Adventure Play for a full year. For more information, visit the Blenheim Palace website.
```
