THE RATE OF WASHING OF PAPER

Abstract

Conservation washing of paper involves the removal of water-soluble materials. In order to study the factors which influence the rate and extent of washing, a model discoloured paper was made in the laboratory by immersing filter paper in a concentrated extract from old mounting board. The washing kinetics of this paper were studied by subjecting samples to various treatments performed for different times, and measuring the visible reflectance of samples. It was discovered that the treated paper became more difficult to wash as it aged and that a residue of the stain remained in the paper even when washed immediately after treatment. This observation may help to explain why stains such as ‘tide-marks’ are difficult to remove. It was demonstrated that increasing the temperature increased both the rate and the extent of washing. Seven different washing processes used in paper conservation were studied to determine the water content of the paper during the processes, and the rate and extent of washing at intervals during a two-hour washing period. Ultraviolet fluorescence revealed the uniformity of washing. The implications for conservation are discussed.

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