Puzzle guide
How to Care for Old Wooden Puzzles
Safe cleaning, storage and adjustment advice for vintage wooden brain teasers and construction puzzles.
Wood moves slightly with humidity. A puzzle that was once loose may become tight after storage in a damp room, while very dry conditions can loosen joints.
Clean gently
Use a soft dry brush or microfibre cloth. Avoid soaking, household sprays and abrasive cleaners, which can swell the wood or remove printed markings.
Do not force tight pieces
Allow the puzzle to acclimatise indoors. Work pieces back and forth gently. Do not hammer or lever pieces apart, because many locking parts are thin across the grain.
Store the instructions
Print the archive page or keep a note of the puzzle name and URL. Store loose parts together in a labelled cloth bag or box.