MUSEUM HOUSEKEEPING

Preventative Conservation: Artefacts & Structures

Housekeeping is essential to your

preventive conservation program.

Preventive conservation, the primary goal

of housekeeping, aims to prevent damage

to museum collections.

From the moment an object is

created, it begins to deteriorate as a

result of its interaction with the

environment.

Conservation treatment can be minimized by

implementing a museum housekeeping program in

all spaces that house museum objects, such as:

• exhibit spaces

• historic furnished rooms

• storage spaces

• curatorial offices

• other work spaces

Not all spaces are created equal

Exhibit spaces with closed cases may require only

annual dusting of objects.

Historic furnished rooms, with objects on display in

the open air, will require daily or biweekly cleaning.

Unnecessary and frequent cleaning can cause

damage to objects

To decide on how often to clean, think critically.

Take into account how dirt, pests and other

contaminants get into a space.

Think about how many people go through an area.

Walk through and carefully look at the space to see

where dirt collects and how quickly

Cleaning Schedule

Organize tasks on the schedule as follows:

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Semi-annually

Cyclically (less or more often than annually)

As Needed

Cleaning Schedule

•Use a chart to format your schedule

Provide a space for initials to document each time a

task on the schedule is carried out

Include with the schedule a list of supplies required

for each task

Note all artefacts that require special attention

File completed charts for future reference

Cleaning Schedule

A sample cleaning schedule on the next slide shows

options for daily cleaning that can be performed by

museum staff

Daily routines are staggered (see * in each box)

As tasks are completed, staff initials are entered into

the corresponding box

Schedules should be saved and filed in chronological

order for future reference

Sample Cleaning Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Mop front

Entrance

* * * * * *

Sweep

Floors-All

* * * * * *

Clean glass

display cases

* *

Vacuum Floor

Mats

*

Dust

Artefacts-

South Wall

*

Dust

artefacts-

North Wall

*

Dust

Artefacts-

East Wall

*

Dust

Artefacts-

West Wall

*

Inspect

Pest Traps

*

Why Clean?

Dust is everywhere. If ignored, it will aesthetically

disfigure and may even physically damage objects

Dust is not a single material. It is composed of fine

particles of loose surface soil (sand and organic

debris), sawdust, pollen, combustion by products,

textile fibres, hairs, flakes of dead skin, dust mites,

insect bodies, and food particles.

It varies seasonally and even daily from place-to-

place.

Artefact Cleaning/ Dusting Supplies

Microfiber cloth

Natural bristle brushes

Vacuum Cleaner

Fibreglass screening

Orvus Paste

Dusting:

Always dust from the top to the bottom of an object to prevent dust from falling on clean surfaces. Take utmost care in dusting, remove rings, watches, and bracelets that may inadvertently cause surface scratches.

If you have to touch the object, wear clean white cotton gloves to keep surfaces free of skin acids and oils.

Good lighting is essential to see conditions and work progress.

Dusting:

Dusting: Vacuum

Use a vacuum cleaner so that dust can be collected

and taken away from the building for disposal

A good vacuum cleaner collects dust efficiently and

effectively and is equipped with a filtration system

that prevents collected dust from blowing back out

into the air.

Dusting: Vacuum

The vacuum cleaner should be outfitted with a clean brush attachment and a plastic nozzle, gauze or fibreglass screening should be attached over the end of the nozzle (use a tight fitting rubber band to attach)

By adding this “screen” to the vacuum, any loose pieces or decorations that might otherwise be sucked up into the vacuum collect on the surface of the screen and can be then be saved to be reviewed by the Curator.

Step 1

Wrap a section of screen around

the nozzle of the vacuum

Step 2

Using an elastic band or twill tape,

secure the screen to the nozzle

Finished Product

A vacuum nozzle covered with fibre glass

screening- the screen will catch and save

loose pieces that normally would be sucked

up into the vacuum

Dusting: Brushes

Depending upon the size of the object, many

different brushes can be used in conjunction with a

vacuum cleaner for dusting.

All bushes should be clean, and be made of

natural bristles . The softness or stiffness of a brush

needed will depend upon the fragility of the

artefact, decorations and extent of the dust.

Dusting: Brushes

Dusting: Brushes

To avoid scratching a surface with the ferrule (the

metal piece that holds the hairs to the handle),

cover the base (where the metal meets the hairs)

with fabric tape

New, clean shaving brushes and artist brushes in

various sizes work well as dusting brushes

Brushes should be routinely cleaned with a mild

soap (Orvus Paste) and allowed to dry fully before

use

Brushes & Orvus Paste

Dusting: Vacuum and Brush

A Vacuum cleaner (with nozzle covered with gauze

or fibreglass screening) can be used to suck up dust

that has been loosened with a hand-held brush.

Hold the vacuum cleaner nozzle about one inch from

the surface and use the brush to sweep the dust into

the suction of the nozzle.

Dusting: Vacuum and Brush

Dust Cloths

Dust cloths are useful, especially on large, flat,

stable surfaces

Use dust cloths of plain soft cotton, or microfiber

cloths

Use a clean cloth to lightly pass over an object’s

surface, turning and folding the cloth

Dirty cloths will not be as efficient as clean cloths

and old dust may contain gritty materials that can

scratch artefacts

Dust Cloths

Dust Cloths

Launder cloths by hand with the mild soap (Orvus

paste) and rinse well

Do not use electric washing machines or dryers as

previous soap residue could penetrate the cloth

Do not use commercial aerosol dusting sprays, these

sprays often contain oils that can darken or stain

and will leave surfaces with an electrostatic charge

that will, in fact, attract dust

Museums have been given the publics trust, this trust

is based upon the understanding that museums are

responsible for the collection, protection and

interpretation of their artefacts.

Regular and carefully cleaning can extend the life

of, and enhance the appearance of our valued

treasurers.