http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/handbook.html - the handbook is freely
available online and can be searched for whatever type of item you’re looking
to provide care.
From: mhsgreatercinci-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mhsgreatercinci-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Donna Amann
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 2:28 PM
To: mhsgreatercinci@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mhsgreatercinci] Re: cleaning glass cabinets and wood
All: FYI: When in doubt, I refer to National Park Service two-part Museum
Handbook which was.published in 2007. It is very comprehensive and covers
about everything you can think of. NPS has a range of museums/collections to
maintain and has been doing this for a very long time.
On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 12:49 PM, <ehbavely@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I am just an old woodworker and lawyer but do not operate a museum. Glass
cleaning: paper towels and Windex seems to work ok but just be careful and
don't spill it on things around it. Wood cleaning is another issue: before you
wash even with a mild solution any finished surface test the surface in some
area not subject to viewing and see what happens if the surface is subject to
damage by water. Shellac based finishes that were popular in the 19th Century
are water soluble and will be ruined by a bath. Old varnishes might also be
affected by soap and water as well as old paint possibly not oil based but
using a milk base or some water soluble base. Go lightly on washing wood
because it can raise the grain and ruin an old finish. Remember those white
water rings on your table/desk when some one sets a soda/coffee cup down before
you can catch them. Your water bath will do the same. Maintenance of old
excising finishes is really important to value of antiques and so you need to
avoid the deadly words "refinished" and /or "replaced" when evaluating a
piece that comes from a mistake from cleaning something.. E. Hanlin Bavely
(member of the Board; friends of White Water Shaker Village). Hello Ann
Lugbill!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ann Lugbill" <alugbill@xxxxxxxxx>
To: mhsgreatercinci@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 11:21:14 AM
Subject: [mhsgreatercinci] Re: cleaning glass cabinets and wood
Friends,
Our professional staff at the Ohio Historical Society/Ohio History
Connection who help us with the Harriet Beecher Stowe House advise for
glass and mirrors -vinegar and cotton cleaning rags--some even advocate
using newspaper and vinegar.
We are told for wood to try to also keep it simple, damp soft cotton
(think old tee shirts) rag that does not leave a lot of lint, warm
water, and very mild soap if any at all. Like Murphy's fo wood.
So vinegar and water is what we try to use. The benefit is also no
chemical fumes, organic, no waste, etc.
Ann Lugbill
Friends of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Cincinnati
On 6/17/2015 11:06 AM, AL YOUNG wrote:
Hello,
Here are topics our curators are discussing as we are doing some indepth
cleaning of our display cabinets.
What is a good glass cleaner, that is not ammonia based??
We are planning to use unbleached muslin in our display cases. We do not
think this should pose any cross contamination problems. Are there any???
Thought maybe Kathy Creighton and Bill Dichtl would share what products they
use.
Pat Young
Trustee
Christian Waldschmidt Homestead
&Civil War Museum
