The following suggestions are guidance only. Each item will require individual assessment and treatment. It is important to be aware that cleaning only removes some of the loose mould and cannot remove staining.
When active mould has been desiccated, treatment can be undertaken. For this, you will need:
- A suction-controlled high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum cleaner
- Replacement HEPA filters
- Vacuum attachments (i.e. upholstery and brush tools)
- Mini-micro vacuum toolkit
- Soft natural-bristled brushes (i.e. goat hair)
- Nylon mesh
- Chemical sponge
- Handling aids (i.e. weights, book wedges)
[FIGURE 3 HERE – TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT]
Treatment of inactive mould should be undertaken within an LEV cabinet or in a well-ventilated space. Work surfaces should be non-porous and easy to clean, or should be protected with disposable coverings (i.e. polythene sheeting).
Loose mould can be removed from the surface of collection material, using a soft brush to move it carefully toward the nozzle of a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner, or by using a soft-bristled vacuum brush tool.
[FIGURE 4 HERE – VACUUMM AND BRUSH]
Vacuum suction should be adjusted to prevent damage to fragile collection material and where necessary, handling aids used to provide support (fig. 4). Passing the brush horizontally then vertically across the surface of the object will ensure thorough cleaning. If the document is particularly fragile, it can be cleaned through a nylon mesh to prevent damage or loss (fig. 5).
[FIGURE 5 HERE – CLEANING THROUGH MESH]