[PADG:1819] Re: Cleaning Products

["Amparo R De Torres" <ator@xxxxxxx>]

Christine, 
this was written by Cathy Hawks:

CLEANING IN MUSEUMS

·	Always use HEPA-filtered vacuums as the primary cleaning tools.
·	Avoid wet cleaning in collection areas once the collections have been installed. There should be no need for regular wet cleaning in storage areas, and large areas of damp carpet or other flooring surfaces have a detrimental impact on climate control in galleries. Spot cleaning of stains on any flooring is preferable to full-scale wet cleaning.
·	Avoid the use of spray cleaners or aerosol cleaners in any space that shares a ventilation system with collections areas. These should be used only to spray on cleaning rags outside these areas.
·	Avoid chlorinated cleaners anywhere in collections areas. Chlorinated cleaners should be used only in kitchens, labs, janitor's closets, and bathrooms.
·	Specialized cleaners are required for many plastics, especially the acrylics used for exhibit vitrines. Use the appropriate cleaners, but again, never allow them to be sprayed directly onto vitrine surfaces, or on rags while in collections areas.
·	Very dilute ammonia solutions (non-sudsy) have long been recommended for museums where any wet cleaning (that does not require sterilization) is used.
·	If any volume of aerosol cleaners or other cleaning products that are extremely flammable are to be stored in the museum, they should be kept in a flammable chemical storage cabinet, properly vented, and preferably near the loading dock or as far as possible from collections storage rooms.

______________________


C. Hawks, 2001                                              



Amparo R. de Torres
Special Projects Officer
Conservation Division, LMG 38
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE
Washington, D. C. ,  20540-4530, USA
Tel: 202.707.1120
Fax: 202.707.1525
E-mail: ator@xxxxxxx

>>> cwiseman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 10/10/02 01:11PM >>>
Does anyone out there specify cleaning products or chemicals in your housekeeping policies/procedures that should NOT be used in collection storage areas for cleaning floors or carpets?

Thanks in advance.


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Christine Wiseman
Preservation Services Manager
Georgia Archives
330 Capitol Ave., SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3554 (phone)
404-651-8471 (fax)
cwiseman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
www.GeorgiaArchives.org