Hydrogen peroxide as cleaning agent

Daniel-Harry Steward <posterdoctor [at] msn__com> writes

>I use a solution of hydrogen peroxide to clean paper surfaces.  The
>paper is usually printed posters and the inks are not affected by
>the cleaning wash.  I have done numerous tests and the papers appear
>to have no residual damage from the peroxide solution.  Does anyone
>have other input with this procedure.

Apart from the fact that high a concentration of hydrogen peroxide
acts as strong oxidizing compound, it contains low acid levels .In
the industry during the productions of peroxides,  some acids  are
added to stabilized the product in order to prolong the shelf life
of the peroxide. Each producer uses different acids and not always
will they provide information about the acid content. Diluting the
peroxide with slightly basic water can neutralize the acid
stabilizers and activating the peroxide--which means a much stronger
oxidizer.

Michael Maggen
Head of Paper Conservation
The Israel Museum Jerusalem,
PO Box 71117
91710 Jerusalem Israel
972 2 67 08808
Fax: +972 2 563 1833
+972 2 67 11894


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:8
                 Distributed: Wednesday, July 24, 2002
                        Message Id: cdl-16-8-003
                                  ***