Mildew

[Messalina]

I have to remove some mildew from some documents, can anybody tell me if I should wear a mask & if so, what type. TIA for any help.

[society]

To be safe best to use gloves and mask.

[Messalina]

Society - you're right. I hadn't thought about gloves. Thank you.

[carlton23]

Doesn`t penicillin come from mildew? Just give a light spray with a drop of disinfectant in it and wipe with a duster.

[Messalina]

Carlton - I'm allergic to penicillin.........

[carlton23]

You didn`t mention that, but so am I but I still use spray and disinfectant with no ill affects in my greenhouse.

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect there may be a difference between doing this sort of thing each day as an occupation, and cleaning up a document on a single occassion. Depends on how concerned you are; do what keeps you stress free.

[heathfield]

It's important to kill off the mildew spores, or the problem might re-occur. Either put the papers into a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight, or, microwave them on the high setting for around two minutes. For a suitable mask, Google for 'P3 face mask'. This is made to anti-bacterial, anti-virus, standards.

[B00]

im with sprinter, it wouldn't even enter my head to put on anything protective to clean mildew off something. Why would you need to?

[Messalina]

Sprinter & Boo, this is not a wind up. I have a large number of documents to clean up - possibly over 1000 pages in total so I asked a reasonable question.

[NazNomad]

You don't know what 'kind' of spores they are, so I'd err on the side of caution.

[AlBags]

Take it next door and ask them to wipe it for you .. your nose too : )

[vivandorron]

Messalina....You haven't told us what you are using to clean the documents. I am genuinely interested because I have lots of books which have mildew on the closed edges of their pages.

Incidentally, I agree that you asked a reasonable question, but I feel the same way as did sprinter53 and B00. Protective clothing is unnecessary to remove mildew.

Ron

[Messalina]

I have been told to use a soft brush to remove as much as possible & then very hot water on a very well rung out cloth. Then a blast with a hairdryer & once dry into the freezer overnight. The advice came from a librarian friend.

Naz - I have some many pages to clean that I shall be erring on the side of caution especially as it can apparently cause sinus & respitory problems.

[B00]

I didn't suggest this was a wind up post, didn't think for a second it was.

My reply was one of general curiousity as the thought of catching owt (like what?) wouldn't enter my head, i'd just wipe them down.

[Messalina]

Boo - sorry if I took your comment the wrong way. As for catching things apparentlt breathing in mould spores can cause all sorts of nasties.