Mold on leather

William F. Wood <goboom [at] bellsouth__net> writes

>Can anyone recommend some method, procedure, or compound that will
>remove mildew from World War II era leather artifacts?
>
>...
>... It has been carefully wiped clean with pH
>neutral cleaning cloths (Latex gloves were worn) and exposed to
>bright sunlight for several days, upon which the mildew disappeared,
>but upon removal from the sunlight, the film redevelops.

The phenomenon what you are describing should first be clarified by
a microbiological and chemical sampling. Is it really mold or some
reaction products due to the manufacturing of leather?

In our practice, the use of latex sponges (Wallmaster sponge) have
proven themselves effective in cleaning up some contaminated
surfaces.

If a "film" of mold was carefully removed, this doesn't come back so
quickly without sunlight under really good conditions < 60% RH on
the surface. Ergo, this seems to be a chemical problem.

Caution: Don't use any disinfectants, which can catalyze the
problem. I recommend the consulting with a conservator of leather
objects.

If you have more questions, so I am like available.

Christina Meier-Wolff
Expert for mold and mildew on art objects
MicroConservation


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:26
                 Distributed: Sunday, November 18, 2012
                       Message Id: cdl-26-26-002
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