Some more shots......

Last 2 (I think :)

Hi Lynn,

I am wondering whether washing them would risk affecting their patina?
As for the felt, I imagine it would soften -and I would approve of that.
But, I would do little more than rub the silver a little with my thumb.

Just Fred

I always do that :)...it's my favorite way to clean old silver, but there is so much silver & my thumbs were aching after one bead !!! ;)
Such a massive necklace,,but maybe that's what I should be doing...It was just a bit more of a struggle than it typically is..but THANKS for your help! and belated Happy New Year to you...Lynne

Generally, I would not rush to submit the wool to either soap or water, lest whatever lanolin is remaining in it get removed, or dye seep out.

I didn't think of that..in fact I thought perhaps the felt would soften up (& clean up) a bit which would be nice. Thanks for your thoughts..much appreciated! Lynne

I would suggest cleaning lightly with Q-tips that are wetted but not saturated in a dilute non-ionic detergent. Apply light pressure. Do not saturate the Q-tip so the cleaner gets onto the felt. Wipe with clean water using a wet but not completely saturated Q-tip, cotton swab or un-dyed, lint free cloth and dry immediately. First, if possible, test the pressure and dilution in the least visible area; work one small section at a time and "do no harm;" therefore use the lightest pressure and weakest dilution possible to remove surface dirt. It may facilitate cleaning if you mask the felt (perhaps using a mylar "donut" with a slit cut along the radius and slipped in over the felt to protect it from the liquid on the Q-tip; don't use tape or anything that will leave a residue). I suggest the following for sources of non-ionic detergent and, possibly, other cleaning materials: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ZvBqyhhWQvQJ:www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/10-02.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us.

I've never used anything like this, so I will definitely read up on the link you provided & investigate. I have many other items that I've never touched but have wanted to touch up clean in very specific areas of the bead or silver, so this will be extremely helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know! Lynne