17 September 2001 |
Contact: Moira Egan |
WHEN THE DUST SETTLES
Tips for safely cleaning family treasures
WASHINGTON, D.C.--When people return to their homes and offices in lower Manhattan and other affected areas, they may find fragile family treasures covered with dust. The National Task Force on Emergency Response, an initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offers a few tips on cleaning. These guidelines are based on the experience and wisdom of the respected conservation professionals who care for our nation’s trea¬sures in museums and libraries.
The dust from debris and ash is granular and may scratch delicate surfaces if you try to wipe it away with a rag. The most important thing to remember – no dust cloth. Use a vacuum cleaner or a gentle brush. Soot is also granular and greasy. If the dust and dirt cannot be removed by vacuuming, try a special product known as a soot sponge. Here are general guidelines for treasured objects:
Books, Upholstery, Baskets, Delicate Fabrics and Teddy Bears: Vacuum on low suction, with the nozzle covered by cheesecloth and secured with a rubber band. This prevents tearing or pulling away loose bits of paper or fabric. Vacuum fabrics by gently patting the surface as if you were blotting it.
Photographs, Papers: Place on a clean blotter. Brush lightly with a clean, dry, soft brush from the center of the photo or paper outward toward the edges.
Furniture: Vacuum with a brush attachment. Don’t use polishes or oils.
Ceramics, Silver, Ivory, Stone: For purely decorative objects, dust carefully with a brush with soft bristles, or use a gentle vacuum with a brush attachment. Handle one object at a time with clean, dry hands. If the piece is used for serving food, wash it with mild detergent and dry thoroughly.
Clocks: Most antique clocks should be cleaned on the outside only by gentle dusting with a clean brush. Take your heirloom timepiece to a trained professional for cleaning if it is covered with dust and soot.
Dolls: Try first to remove the dirt with a soft, dry brush. If necessary, you can use a cotton swab lightly dampened with water on ceramic or plastic dolls, and then pat dry. Do not use solvents.
Supplies. You may have many of these items around the house. Soot sponges can be obtained through specialty cleaning companies. Hardware and art supply stores should have almost everything else.
- A surgical mask and clean cotton gloves.
- A hand-held, suction-only vacuum cleaner or canister machine with nozzle attachments and variable speeds. Just remember that the exhaust port will blow out the dust. A vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter is the best choice.
- Clean blotter paper, cheesecloth and rubber bands.
- A selection of artists’ brushes – with soft, light-colored bristles – in different sizes. Ideally the brushes should have no metal parts, which can snag. However, you can cover any metal parts with cloth adhesive tape. Clean and thoroughly dry the brushes as they become soiled.
- A soot sponge is never used with liquid. Follow instructions – dab, don’t rub.
These guidelines are based on the text of Caring for Your Family Treasures (Abrams, New York, 2000), a book produced by the national nonprofit, Heritage Preservation, with the advice of top conservators. The guidelines are general in nature. Internet links to additional information on disaster recovery and professional conservation advice are available through the Heritage Preservation Web site (www.heritagepreservation.org). Always consult a professional conservator for treatment of your most valuable objects. The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works has a free referral service (202-452-9545), and the Regional Alliance for Preservation (800-843-8482) has informa¬tion on preservation services.
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 government agencies and national service organizations formed in 1995. An initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Task Force has helped to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. Find valuable disaster resources at the Task Force Web site, www.heritageemergency.org.
For more than 30 years, Heritage Preservation has been the national, nonprofit advocate for the proper care of the objects and sites that embody our history and enrich our lives. Heritage Preservation partners with institutions, organizations, and concerned individuals who care about preserving our past.
