Study of cleaning materials and methods for stains on parchment

Abstract

Parchment is a very beautiful material; very strong but also very fragile in an unsuitable storage environment. Actually, as regards to the dust and grime accumulated in normal museums and library storage, the cleaning of parchment is a fairly simple task. Stains on parchment which are due to damp, dust, mould, ink, colour migration and etc. are a problem for conservators, but with care and patience may usually be treated successfully. This study uses artificial stains (similar to the natural stains, which can be found on historical parchment) on new and aged parchment (prepared by the author) to evaluate the materials and methods used in cleaning processes. The advantages and disadvantages of bleaching materials used after a cleaning process were also recorded. Colour was measured by spectrophotometer and the surface morphology examined by the use of a scanning electron microscope. Mechanical properties were determined and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis was also used to evaluate the cleaning materials and methods.The results have shown that mechanical cleaning methods have certain advantages for the object since nothing is added during the cleaning. In chemical cleaning, water should not be used alone but must be used mixed with an organic solvent. Mechanical cleaning methods are safer than chemical cleaning methods.

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