Connecting to Collections Care

Hi Neylan! 

I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with mold, but it sounds like you're asking all the right questions. The first thing you'll want to ensure is that the affected collection is contained and that anyone who handles it is wearing appropriate PPE. Next you'll need to determine if the mold is active or inactive, inactivate it through drying if needed, and start the process of removing as much of the inactive mold as possible. This webinar from Connecting to Collections Care is a little old, but it is an EXCELLENT deep dive. 

On your vacuum question, I have attached a Technical Leaflet on choosing an appropriate vacuum that may be helpful to you. 

Because every situation is different, it's hard to give you more concrete recommendations than that, but if you would like to connect with me offline, I would be happy to chat about your particular situation and provide more tailored recommendations. You can reach me at mcooper@mcconservation.com. 

Best, 

Maddie 

Attachment(s)

Vol_1_No_1_August_2025.pdf   4.24 MB 1 version

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2026 12:27
From: Neylan Wheat
Subject: Help! Mold in Recently Acquired Accession

We have a collection that was recently acquired that contains items of great value but... it has mold! Our biggest worry is the mold on the leather items. We are looking into a hepa vacuum and I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation on a good but affordable vacuum? Also, Does anyone have tips on how to best stop the growth and make these items safe to go into storage or on display? I'm worried even if we take all the precautions we may not do it correctly and then infect our larger collection. Any solutions are welcome! Thank you. 

In addition to Olivia's suggestions, I will add the following: 

You can purchase a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner from a number of sources. 

Miele and Nilfisk https://www.talasonline.com/tools-and-equipment/vacuums-and-filters/nilfisk-gm80  are good brands. The cost is justifiable, given the value of the new collection. 

Buy a vacuum cleaner equipped with a rheostat or variable speed control, so that the suction power can be adjusted as low as possible to protect delicate components of the artwork. Unless the mold is entrenched, it's generally easy to vacuum. There are many manifestations, so there is no "one size fits all". But if the problem is surface growth, then much of this is common sense.

DO use Personal Protective Equipment -- N95 masks, eye and ear protection. DO cover work surfaces with disposable (non-slick) paper such as  rough newsprint. Disinfect tools - synthetic white brushes are useful - with a 70% ethanol or iso-propanol solution (70 alcohol:30 water) after washing in mild detergent. Plastic pipettes can be cut and inserted into the end of a braided hose, as seen in the  Nilfisk Micro Tool Kit #01702300, but dimensions of hose openings vary. Again, no "one size fits all". 

To prevent cross-contamination and allergic reactions, this work can be carried out in an isolated area -- even out of doors -- as long as it is not windy.   One key to avoiding future mold growth is control of humidity levels. I would follow Olivia's suggestion and read ML Florian's publications and go online to understand how and why mold proliferates. 

Original Message:
Sent: 05-02-2026 11:27
From: Olivia Primanis
Subject: Help! Mold in Recently Acquired Accession

Hi Neylan, 

I am always sorry to hear about a mold issue in heritage collections.

In case you should be interested in general info, I found this book by Florian and this online technical article by the Canadian Conservation Institute very helpful for a general understanding of fungi and for addressing mold contamination of cultural artifacts.

Fungal facts: solving fungal problems in heritage collections, by Mary-Lou E. Florian, 2002.

and

Mould Prevention and Collection Recovery: Guidelines for Heritage Collections – Technical Bulletin 26. By Sherry Guild and Maureen MacDonald,  Revised by Tom Strang and Sherry Guild
https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/technical-bulletins/mould-prevention-collection-recovery.html

good luck, Olivia

--

Olivia Primanis

Book Conservation & Library Preservation

Austin, Texas

512-785-1803

 

Original Message:
Sent: 4/29/2026 12:28:00 PM
From: Neylan Wheat
Subject: Help! Mold in Recently Acquired Accession

We have a collection that was recently acquired that contains items of great value but... it has mold! Our biggest worry is the mold on the leather items. We are looking into a hepa vacuum and I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation on a good but affordable vacuum? Also, Does anyone have tips on how to best stop the growth and make these items safe to go into storage or on display? I'm worried even if we take all the precautions we may not do it correctly and then infect our larger collection. Any solutions are welcome! Thank you. 

Hello Nylan,

The most effective way to prevent fungi from growing and next re-growing is to stabilize your humidity levels. Fungi need liquid water to restart a new life cycle, so any fluctuations of humidity which may result in water condensation will support fungal growth.

In my recently published book on fungi interactions with substrate and enviro conditions that promote/prevent fungi infestation you will find practical information that will guide you in your efforts. It is in open access: http://www.mdpi.com/books/mono/7197. 

I hope you will find it helpful.

Best wishes in your efforts.

Hanna M Szczepanowska PhD,

Physical Scientist/ paper conservator

BEP.  Washington DC

Original Message:
Sent: 05-02-2026 11:27
From: Olivia Primanis
Subject: Help! Mold in Recently Acquired Accession

Hi Neylan, 

I am always sorry to hear about a mold issue in heritage collections.

In case you should be interested in general info, I found this book by Florian and this online technical article by the Canadian Conservation Institute very helpful for a general understanding of fungi and for addressing mold contamination of cultural artifacts.

Fungal facts: solving fungal problems in heritage collections, by Mary-Lou E. Florian, 2002.

and

Mould Prevention and Collection Recovery: Guidelines for Heritage Collections – Technical Bulletin 26. By Sherry Guild and Maureen MacDonald,  Revised by Tom Strang and Sherry Guild
https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/technical-bulletins/mould-prevention-collection-recovery.html

good luck, Olivia

--

Olivia Primanis

Book Conservation & Library Preservation

Austin, Texas

512-785-1803

 

Original Message:
Sent: 4/29/2026 12:28:00 PM
From: Neylan Wheat
Subject: Help! Mold in Recently Acquired Accession

We have a collection that was recently acquired that contains items of great value but... it has mold! Our biggest worry is the mold on the leather items. We are looking into a hepa vacuum and I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation on a good but affordable vacuum? Also, Does anyone have tips on how to best stop the growth and make these items safe to go into storage or on display? I'm worried even if we take all the precautions we may not do it correctly and then infect our larger collection. Any solutions are welcome! Thank you.