How to Oil and Care for a Cuckoo Clock

A well-kept mechanical cuckoo clock can run for decades. Most of the care is simple: keep it clean, dry and level, wind it gently, and do not interfere with the movement. This guide covers dusting, oiling, moving the clock and what to leave to a clockmaker.

The care routine in short

• Every week or two: dust the case with a soft, dry brush or microfiber cloth.
• Every winding: pull the chains gently and smoothly (see winding).
• Every few months: look at the chains, the weights and the pendulum for wear or a loose part.
• Every three to five years: have the movement cleaned and oiled by a clock repairer, or follow your maker's advice. Sources differ, from every two or three years to every five, and the right interval depends on the clock and the room, so check your sheet. Sooner if the clock slows, stops or sounds rougher.

Dusting the case

1. Stop the pendulum if you plan to reach the front of the movement. Otherwise leave it.
2. Use a soft, dry brush, such as a clean paintbrush, to lift dust from carved leaves and corners. Brush gently and keep strokes short.
3. Wipe flat wood with a dry microfiber cloth.
4. Do not use water, sprays or furniture polish. Moisture swells wood and can run into the movement. Polish can build up in the carving.
5. Do not touch the bird, the bellows or the whistles. They are delicate.

Oiling a cuckoo clock

Oil reduces friction at the pivots where steel shafts turn in brass holes. Over time it dries and thickens, and the clock slows down and may stop. Oiling is a small, careful job, and it is not always needed. We recommend leaving oiling to a clockmaker, who can also clean the movement first. If you are comfortable doing it yourself and your sheet allows it, the points below apply. If your sheet says nothing, have it done by a clockmaker.

• Use clock oil. It is made to stay where it is put and not to gum. Our Parts & Care collection lists clock oil.
• Never use household oil. Sewing machine oil, cooking oil and spray lubricants are not the same product. They attract dust and can harden.
• Use one tiny drop on a pivot, applied with a pin or a fine applicator. More is not better. Oil that spreads onto gear teeth or the wooden parts will attract dirt.
• Do not oil the gear teeth, the chains, the bellows or the wooden parts. Oil goes only on the pivots.
• If the movement is dirty (black or gummy oil, dust built up), oiling on top of it only makes it worse. It needs a cleaning by a clockmaker.

Looking after the chains, weights and pendulum

The moving parts you can see deserve a regular look. Check that each chain is whole, with no bent or open link, and that it hangs without a twist. A chain that kinks or catches can slip off the sprocket. Look at the weights: the hooks should be secure and the weight should hang level. Check the pendulum leader for a bend and the disc for a loose fit. If a part is worn, replace it rather than bending it back. Chains, weights, pendulums and bellows are all listed in Parts & Care. When you order a chain, count the links per foot first, because chains differ and the wrong type will not sit on the sprocket.

When you handle the weights and chains, wash and dry your hands first. Skin oil and dirt carry onto the metal and, over time, into the movement.

Where the clock lives

• Away from direct sun, which fades finishes and dries wood.
• Away from heat and steam. Radiators, stoves and kitchens are hard on a movement.
• Stable humidity. A room that swings between very dry and very damp is harder on wood than a steady one.
• Away from dust and smoke. They reach the movement through the case.

Moving or storing the clock

1. Stop the pendulum and take it off its hook.
2. Take off the weights and wrap each one separately, so that they do not bang into the case. Leave the chains on the clock: thread a thin wire through each chain where it enters the case and twist the ends together, so that the chains cannot slip off their sprockets.
3. Close the bird door if it is open. Do not push the bird by hand. If you have the maker's transport clamps or door wire, fit them again.
4. Wrap the case in soft paper or cloth and pack it in its original box if you still have it. This is why we suggest keeping the box.
5. Carry the clock upright and level.
6. When hanging it again, follow the setup steps (see how to set up a cuckoo clock), then set the beat and the time.

When to call a clockmaker

• The clock stops often even when it is in beat and fully wound.
• The cuckoo or the strike does not work after you have checked the hands and the setup.
• A gear, a spring or the bellows is broken or loose.
• The movement is dirty, noisy or has been wet.

Most simple replacements are small: a chain, a weight, a pendulum or a bellows. You can find those in Parts & Care. If you are not sure which part you need, send us a photo through the contact page. Our FAQ covers common questions.

Keeping a simple log

Write the date of your last oiling or service on a piece of paper and tape it inside the back of the case or keep it with the guide. It sounds trivial, but a year later nobody remembers whether the clock was serviced. A short note also helps a clockmaker: you can say when it last ran well, which part started to change and what you did.

A note on lifespan

People often ask how long a cuckoo clock lasts. There is no single figure, because it depends on the movement, the room, the care and the servicing. A mechanical clock that is kept clean and serviced can last for a very long time, and many family clocks are handed down. A quartz clock depends on its electronics and battery.