Hi Cindy, You can simply wipe the mold off with a soft cloth or brush. If you are sensitive to mold, you might want to use a respirator or have a small vacuum handy. More importantly, you should determine the cause of the mold outbreak (heat and moisture from the window, possibly) and try to mitigate it. If it looks as if the mold has done some damage to the wood that needs repair, contact a conservator. Below is a link to the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute technical bulletin on furniture and wooden objects if you want more information. http://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/biodetwood.html Good luck, Greg Gregory A. Jackson, CA Archivist, Bryn Athyn Historic District Glencairn Museum www.glencairnmuseum.org 267.502.2421 From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cindy Boyer Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 12:13 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] mold on wooden furniture We are having some interior spaces painted at our historic site. In moving a closed leaf table that had been near a window and hardly ever accessed we discovered spots of mold on the leaf that had been facing the window and wall. I don't want to blindly trust the wisdom of the internet. What source can I trust to clean the table safely? It is about 200 years old, with a stain finish. Thanks listers! Cindy Boyer Director of Public Programs The Landmark Society of Western New York 133 S. Fitzhugh St. Rochester NY 14608 (585) 546-7029 ext. 12 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Fax: (585) 546-4788 The Landmark Society: Celebrating 75 years as one of America's oldest and most active preservation organizations! www.landmarksociety.org<http://www.landmarksociety.org/> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12149056258> ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).