PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT USE WATER TO CLEAN UNLESS YOUR WATER QUALITY IS
EXCELLENT AND YOU TEST FOR WATER FASTNESS FIRST!
OK, I'll stop ::yelling:: now <g>
Do check out the National Park Service Conserve-O-Gram series on care of
collections (of all kinds and types) at
http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/conserv.html  (this
is one line but may be wrapped by my e-mail program)
PDFs are available for downloading and/or printing.

I have had very good luck using the MicroChamber/Silversafe papers available
from Conservation Resources International (www.conservationresources.com) as
interleaving and wrapping of textile items with odor problems (i.e. smoke
from a fire; mould/mildew from improper storage; mothball overkill) before I
then bag them up (in polyethlene sheeting and/or bags) for further
treatment. The MicroChamber/Silversafe absorbs odors very well and is
affordable enough to be disposable once treatment is begun. And, as already
has been mentioned, you must be very careful and take all of the precautions
to protect the workers' health and well being while handling any textiles
with musty odors that might be caused by mould/mildew.

Regards,
Meg Geiss-Mooney
Textile/Costume Conservator
Professional Associate, AIC
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Judy Kelius (judysue)
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2003 8:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Newbie Needs Help!




One specific question - what is the best way to get rid of the musty odors
of some of our new acquisitions without harming the fabrics? (By the way,
we're in the process of following guidelines from the American Textiles
Museum for freezing several wool pieces in case there are any moth eggs in
them. We are "critter-free" right now and want to stay that way!)

There is a web site for the museum and the complex in which it is located -
www.lititzjunction.com. One of my jobs is to redo this as well! If you have
a dial-up connection, you will find it very difficult to access.

Thanks!