Cleaning glass exhibit cases

Devon Pyle-Vowles <Devon_Pyle-Vowles [at] orbit__adler__uchicago__edu> writes

>I am curious what people are using to clean the interior of glass
>cases that is air-tight and will hold artifacts. We tend to always
>be on a deadline and cannot wait for the case to air out Windex or
>other types of cleaners.

When I'm in a hurry and can't wait for chemicals to off-gas, I use a 
wet newspaper.  I don't know why this works (something in the 
printer's ink?), but this was how my grandmother cleaned her 
windows.  Crumple up a sheet of newspaper into a ball, dunk it in a 
bucket of water until it's good and wet, squeeze out excess water so 
it doesn't drip, wipe the glass surface with it, then wipe it dry 
with clean paper towel or soft cloth.  Wear disposable gloves if you 
don't want your hands to get all inky.  The reason I don't use this 
method all the time is because it's a lot messier than Windex in a
spray bottle.

Joice Himawan
Conservator
Massachusetts Historical Society


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 13:35
                 Distributed: Friday, December 17, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-13-35-008
                                  ***