I have this piece of art I really like. I got it about 15 years ago at a thrift store. I’m not sure what you call this style/medium. The only thing I’ve seen is “folkart”.

It is dingy and I want to clean it. Particularly the white fabric background.

I don’t remember exactly what I did but at some point I tried spot cleaning and this was the result:

construction:

base: 1/4" hardboard composite with canvas sort of fabric glued on

hardboard I don’t know if this term is regional or well known. It’s that brown sheet that is often used on the backside of cheap modern furniture, like a bookshelf. It’s smooth on one side and rough on the other.

Top and bottom edges are in a groove of wood molding strips; these are stapled on and can be removed

design is made up of little items glued on: beads, small rocks, cord, ceramic

doesn’t seem to be a top coat or anything

There’s not really any hidden areas to test.

the glue is quite robust, I have been surprised that hardly anything has fallen off.

Any ideas? Hardboard really can’t get wet.

I wish I had properly protected it years ago.