Connecting to Collections Care

We're overhauling some of our housekeeping procedures, making sure we have the correct tools available for our curatorial housekeepers. Our collections include a large number of painted chairs on permanent exhibition in a historic house with very high visitation; they get dusty very quickly and need to be dusted once a week at least.

For the more unstable painted surfaces, we use brushes. However, for the stable surfaces, I'm looking for the best machine-washable microfiber duster to use in our routes. Lamb's wool microfiber is an option, but seems to be more expensive. Most of the cheaper microfiber dusters are made from chenille yarns, and I was wondering whether these are a good choice for stable-surface painted chairs, or if they are abrasive over time. 

Thank you!

Hi Kristin,

As the acting C2C Care community monitor, I'd like to thank you for posting this question to the community. Furniture is not my area of expertise, but I'm sure you'll get some good responses. Meanwhile, check out https://www.nps.gov/subjects/museums/upload/07-05_508.pdf It's dated 2002, and does mention different types of microfiber cloths. PEL cloths may be a possibility? I haven't found a reference specific to microfiber dusters yet ... 
Best, Karen, C2C Care monitor

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Karen Jones
Book and Paper Conservator
Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent
Denver CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2025 12:24
From: Kristin Lapos
Subject: Best Microfiber Dusters for Painted Chairs

We're overhauling some of our housekeeping procedures, making sure we have the correct tools available for our curatorial housekeepers. Our collections include a large number of painted chairs on permanent exhibition in a historic house with very high visitation; they get dusty very quickly and need to be dusted once a week at least.

For the more unstable painted surfaces, we use brushes. However, for the stable surfaces, I'm looking for the best machine-washable microfiber duster to use in our routes. Lamb's wool microfiber is an option, but seems to be more expensive. Most of the cheaper microfiber dusters are made from chenille yarns, and I was wondering whether these are a good choice for stable-surface painted chairs, or if they are abrasive over time. 

Thank you!