Thanks Mary,
Absolutely true. Mold spreads like wildfire almost no matter what you do.
Any liquid that is not anti-fungal in nature will feed them. The problem is
that most anti-fungal treatments are not particularly good for sensitive
objects or the individuals cleaning them. That is why, assuming you do not
leave such things to a conservator, it should be done outside or optimally
under a good vent hood/ HEPA filtered vaccum table. Good call.
Keep in mind that what I would try on the computer speakers would never
occur to me if it were a collection object. The lysol and alcohol
combination should not feed the mold, although being outside might
introduce new spores. I would also use a much different approach if the
objects were wood, paper, cloth, or any other material than a plastic CD or
comuter speaker.
Cleaning the CDs will be purely experimental, since I have no idea how
microscopic plants will interact with the billions of microscopic grooves
on the surface of the disk. Getting them clean enough to play might also
reduce the readability to the point of failure. Difficult situation to deal
with once you get a bloom, but still worth trying.
Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850
"Mary L. Kirby"
<[log in to unmask]
> To
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discussion list cc
<[log in to unmask]
SE.LSOFT.COM> Subject
Re: Cleaning mold off Compact Discs
09/21/2005 12:48
PM
Please respond to
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<[log in to unmask]
SE.LSOFT.COM>
Hate to send a discouraging word, but I learned at a Collection Managers
Committee workshop sponsored by the Texas Association of Museums that some
liquids act as food and spread the problem.
I had in the past used lemon oil on my antique cherry desk when I saw a
mold
outbreak in one spot. The species I have appeared to disappear in the
immediate cleaning, just like a Pledge commercial. However, the next time I
left the AC off when traveling out of town in the summer, the mold
reappeared everywhere the cleaning rag went with broad wipe areas of
expansion!!!!
Q-tips and brushes to our amazment spread the mold out also. We could see
puffs of mold dissipate under the microscope as we tried to brush them off.
The recommendation on that occassion was in addition to wearing mask and
gloves for you, vacuum with a good HEPA filter vacuum. We were looking at
old documents, not CDs. However, brushing will spread the spores either
way.
Mary Kirby
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Janzen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: Cleaning mold off Compact Discs
> Thanks Pam,
>
> I was not thinking about that. Certainly we should all protect ourselves
> from the spores and any chemicals.
>
> I am personally quite allergic to a number of mold varieties, so I
> generally know when it is around before I see it.
>
> Mold can grow on practically any surface. Cellulose makes a much better
> growth medium for some, but it is not required for all types. The only
way
> to prevent it completely is to not provide the environment for it to
grow.
> Spores are everywhere, and can not be kept off objects or out of any
given
> space where we go on a regular basis. Give them the warmth and moisture
> and
> it will grow.
>
> I'll wager there is a best methodology for each mold/material combination
> that would remove the mold and do the least damage. Personally, for a
> non-collection set of computer speakers, I would probably go with a
little
> Lysol first, a toothbrush for abrasion, and a good rubbing alcohol
> wipedown. Then a little time in the sun for good measure. Then do not put
> them back in the same microenvironment. The sun will not kill the spores,
> but it does have negative effects on live mold rhizomes(I think they are
> called).
>
> I do not honestly know if it is worse/better to clean dry or wet, in
terms
> of removing the obvious mold. You are right that it is capable of
> spreading
> through spores in both states. I would suspect there would be some
> suppressive benefit to cleaning it wet. My thinking being that wet spores
> will not travel as easily. Museum objects that are infested will wait for
> a
> conservator.
>
> Mark Janzen
> Registrar/Collections Manager
> Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
> Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
> Wichita State University
> (316)978-5850
>
>
>
> Pamela Silvestri
> <PodunkLander@AOL
> .COM> To
> Sent by: Museum [log in to unmask]
> discussion list cc
> <[log in to unmask]
> SE.LSOFT.COM> Subject
> Re: Cleaning mold off Compact Discs
>
> 09/20/2005 06:22
> PM
>
>
> Please respond to
> Museum discussion
> list
> <[log in to unmask]
> SE.LSOFT.COM>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mark,
>
> I too have had problems with mold growth - not on my CD's but on my
stereo
> (plastic) speakers...perhaps there is a cellulose component in the
plastic
> or cellulose-based coating on them? Regardless, I was surprised to see
> this
> mold, but what I was wondering is if it is better to clean off mold that
> has 'dried' first? It is my understanding that even if dry, there can
> still
> be active mold spores too?
>
> I'm not sure if it matters what kind of mold is being cleaned off, and in
> relation to the type of material the object is made of? What do you
think?
>
> It has been a real challenge for me to deal with and control mildew and
> mold both at home and the museum where I work. I still have a lot to
learn
> but I would have to say that taking precautions (gloves, masks) while
> cleaning it is very important.
>
> The CDC still claims that 'black mold' is relatively harmless - but they
> do
> advocate all the precautions. So I want to advocate the same here too
> along
> with the methods, etc., that you and others are suggesting for cleaning
> the CD's.
>
> Pam
>
> In a message dated 9/20/2005 10:17:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
> 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
>
> Pamela Silvestri, Museum Assistant
> Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
> Shenipsit State Forest
> 166 Chestnut Hill Road
> Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
> (860) 684-3430
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