Dry all dirty, sooty and moldy materials before cleaning and/or removing mold.
2. Moldy materials that cannot be treated immediately should be frozen. Freezing mold does
not kill or eradicate it; it merely halts mold growth.
3. Hold book shut at front edge.
4. Vacuum mold from:
- Top edge of book moving from spine to edge
- Bottom edge from spine to edge
- Front edge from top to bottom
5. Vacuum:
- Front cover: Open and vacuum inner edge, near fold (hinge area).
- Back cover: Open and vacuum inner edge, near fold (hinge area).
- Spine
6. Repeat process using “dry chemical sponge” made of pure latex or a rubber sponge. Do not
use a cellulose sponge.
- Do not get the sponge wet.
- Do not use any liquid to eliminate mold; it will cause mold to grow.
- Do not put treated materials into sealed containers, boxes or plastic because it can encourage mold growth.
7. Upon completion of the cleaning process (before returning materials to rest of collection):
- Look through the book to make certain that no mold, soot and/or dirt remain.
- Put in a dry, stable environment.
- Monitor for reappearance of mold.
- Return to original location after the environment is stable and the relative humidity is back to 45% – 60% (+ or – 2%). These materials are very susceptible to mold.
- Monitor previously infected areas throughout seasonal changes to determine that the mold remains arrested.
8. Remove dry, unaffected materials to a separate location.
9. Count and itemize irreparably damaged material for insurance purposes.
10. Solicit bids for water-damaged material. Price will depend on amount of water damage,
amount of time since exposure to moisture, and size of collection.
