This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to pestlist@museumpests.net To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- My family began cleaning fur garments s in the 1920's. The trick is to clean the fur without affecting (removing oils) from the pelt. Immersion will usually ruin the pelts, so a granular material is used to scrub the individual hairs. I've never heard of potato flour being used, but it makes sense. In our operations (and the others I have seen), sawdust, ground wood, or ground corn cobs are used as the scrubbing medium. They can be dampened with a solvent of choice (water, petroleum based solvent, etc.), or the medium may be used dry. Once tumbled or rubbed into the fur, the medium (and the dirt it holds) must be completely removed. In Europe in the early part of the last century, fur cleanersr (their apprentices, children, etc.) would beat out the sawdust from the furs with bamboo canes. I understand (from discussing with a real "old timer") that this was difficult and dirty work. In "modern" commericial operations, we used cylindrical cages (like a giant dryer drum made of fencing) to tumble the furs to shake out the bulk of the sawdust. The corners and pockets were cleaned of sawdust residue with compressed air. Then garments were brushed, sprayed with an appropriate shining agent (often containing silicone), and ironed on specialized machines. Then buttons were uncovered, linings fixed and steamed, garments sorted, examined, invoiced, stored, shipped, etc. (more than anyone needed to know?) hope this is of use, at least anecdotally you have other options (see above), and the idea of potato flour residue (there's always some residue) makes me nervous. js Jerry Shiner Keepsafe Microclimate Systems 800 683 4696 www.keepsafe.ca <http://www.keepsafe.ca/> i...@keepsafe.ca Specializing in the design, procurement, and installation of environmental control systems in museums and archives. -----Original Message----- From: ad...@museumpests.net [mailto:ad...@museumpests.net] On Behalf Of Abigail K Stevens Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 7:44 AM To: pestlist@museumpests.net Subject: [pestlist] Potato Flour and Pests
This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to pestlist@museumpests.net To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- Dear all, One of our conservators is talking about using potato flour as part of a cleaning process for taxidermy. Although the flour is blown out of the fur/hair at the end of the process, I am concerned that any residue could potentially provide a food source for pests. I was wondering whether anyone has any experience of using potato flour on taxidermy, and whether or not it has made the taxidermy even more appealing to pests? Many thanks in advance, Abby Abby Stevens | Preventive Conservator | The Manchester Museum & The Whitworth Art Gallery t: 0161 306 1590 |t: 07825 011 011 | abigail.k.stev...@manchester.ac.uk Monday, Tuesday & Friday at The Manchester Museum Wednesday & Thursday at The Whitworth Art Gallery www.manchester.ac.uk/museum or <http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk> www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To send an email to the list, send your msg to pestlist@museumpests.Net To unsubscribe from this list send an email to pestlist@museumpests.net and in the subject put: "unsubscribe" - no quotes please. You are receiving the Pestlist emails in standard mode. To change to the DIGEST mode send an email to imail...@museumpests.net with this command in the body: set mode digest pestlist Any problems email l...@collectionpests.com or l...@zaks.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To send an email to the list, send your msg to pestlist@museumpests.Net To unsubscribe from this list send an email to pestlist@museumpests.net and in the subject put: "unsubscribe" - no quotes please. You are receiving the Pestlist emails in standard mode. To change to the DIGEST mode send an email to imail...@museumpests.net with this command in the body: set mode digest pestlist Any problems email l...@collectionpests.com or l...@zaks.com
