George,

CDs and DVDs are dye based technology. Even though the dyes are generally
sealed under the reflective layer, I would think bleach is a very high
risk. There are several types of cleaning solutions that are safe, which
can be acquired at your local computer store/Radio Shack/etc.

The acrylic media of the disks should not be a good medium for mold growth,
and I suspect it will wipe off adequately. You should not need anything
harsh to keep it from coming back, as long as the storage environment is
upgraded. I would use a soft antistatic cloth, microfiber cloth or lens
paper, and wipe the mold off. Only use an approved solution if it does not
come off relatively easily. Never use a solvent or abrasive on any digital
media. There is no faster way to lose your data, other than breaking the
disk of course. I believe the manufacturers recommend not wiping in a
radial pattern, but rather with the grooves in the disk.

I'd be interested to know how it works out, and if the disks still play
after being moldified.(yes, I know that is not a real word)

Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850


                                                                           
             George Garner                                                 
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To all the collections managers/archivists out there...

I have a friend whose (personal) CD collection was growing mold. She's
wondering how to clean them. Her first thoughts were to use a single-use
cleaning wipe (with bleach), but I'm not convinced that's a great idea.
But I'm not sure of a proper way to clean them.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
George Garner

--
George Garner
Director of Exhibitions
Center for History
808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601
www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664



--------

Celebrate Archaeology Month in September by learning about mastodons and
fossils at the Center for History.

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