question Mouldy Paper

[woa2]

I am clearing my Mother's house and I found a book with white mould on it, in the cellar. The book is special to me and I want to restore it and keep it. Does anyone know how to get the white mould off the pages and stop it coming back? If you need photos, I will get some done.

Many thanks.

[fv1609]

Robert I would make sure it is dry first (linen cupboard for a few days) then with a soft brush just gently brush off what will then be dust.

[mike65]

Clive is normally very good and accurate but I am not so sure in this case.

It does sound very sensible and good advice but I have done a quick google and they do not recommend increasing the heat.

Apparently increased heat can speed up the growth of mold,

http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/3Emergency_Management/08SalvageMoldyBooks.php

 

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~library/preservation/faq.html

 

http://www2.lib.udel.edu/Preservation/mold.htm

 

http://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/preservation/2009/03/05/cleaning-moldy-books-and-magazines/

 

They all seem to recommend sinilar thinks and mention the dreade words "Health and Safety"Mind you the internet is not always correct:D

 

Mike

[fv1609]

Robert I would make sure it is dry first (linen cupboard for a few days) then with a soft brush just gently brush off what will then be dust.

 

Perhaps what I was coping with was just short term mould eg manual left in damp garage for a few weeks rather well established stuff. It seemed to work for that. Suppose I was lucky the mice didn't get to it first.

[Tony B]

If it means a lot to you. Worth finding a proper conservator to do it. If you pack the book in acid free art paper with some silica gel that will stop it getting worse. Don't pack it in plastic. A plain brown envelope is the best. The way that old books are cleared of infestation is actually to freeze them.