Regardless of whether they are works of outstanding artistry by renown artists or a beloved work of art by the homeowner, a friend or relative, oil paintings need care to retain their aesthetic appeal. Such a painting could be an heirloom and the art lover needs to assume it to last a lifetime. Here are a few practical things a householder can do to make sure their oil painting lasts.

• Do not display your oil paintings in sunny rooms because the ultraviolet rays present in direct sunlight can damage your painting. This requires keeping the painting away from sun-lit rooms where windows do not have shades or drapery to prevent the sun from shining in on it. Your painting really should be displayed in in a low-lit room of your home. If this isn't possible, then your windows ought to be covered with draperies or curtains or screens that will filter out the harmful rays of the sun. Other elements that can destroy your oil paintings are dust, extreme changes in room temperature, heat from a radiator, smoke and humidity.

• It is a good idea for the art collector to switch around an oil painting's position now and then with other paintings or works of art in your home. There's absolutely nothing that says a painting or any work of art should stay in the same spot on the wall forever. It provides a new and refreshing look to any room having a new painting adorning its walls.

• Oil paintings shouldn't be displayed on the wall over a fireplace or any location in which they come into contact with soot or other dirt.

• Your oil painting will also require being displayed on a hook that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the painting plus the frame, else it could slide down the wall and become damaged.

• Avoid using halogen lights to show off an oil painting because the heat from a halogen light bulb can damage them. Use fluorescent lights instead. These are cooler than halogen and more of them are coming in warmer colors.

• If your oil painting is on stretched canvas or canvas panel it is very important to protect it from humidity. Surfaces such as canvas or wood can swell when they collect moisture from the atmosphere, then shrink when they dry out. This can cause the painting itself to warp and may even damage the image on the painting. An oil painting should be located in a room with constant temperature and humidity levels. In addition, damp rooms with poor insulation, such as those common in old houses can cause mold and mildew to grow on the painting's surface.

• The frame that an oil painting is adorned with needs special attention likewise. It should be kept clean using a dry, soft, lint free cloth to keep it free of dust particles in the room. Never spray chemicals of any kind whatsoever on the frame while it is still around the painting, if some gets on the surface of the painting it could damage it.

• Oil paintings should never be touched with bare hands. If the painting has to be moved to another spot, it should be firmly grasped by both sides of the frame. Don't ever grab it by the top of the frame and especially not by the wire hanger on the backside of the painting. For added precautions, the handler really should take off all jewelry or sharp objects to make sure the painting isn't scratched. They should also be very cautious not to knock against the painting. The surface of an old oil painting might possibly become cracked if it's bumped.

• If the painting needs to be cleaned, this should be done by a professional. In addition, if your painting is damaged, you might want to call a professional in art restoration and conservation to repair it.

• The front and back of oil paintings should be checked every now and then to make sure that there is no mold or insect damage present.