One common condition of deteriorating leather is known as "red rot." Red rot occurs when excessive acidity in the leather causes the exterior grain to become a reddish-orange powder; and the leather darkens on contact with water.
Do not attempt to lubricate the leather with cleaners, saddle soaps or oils. This will cause irreversible damage.
Saving Kentucky's Past -- Preserving Leather and Other Organic Materials
Use and Display
- Baskets, leather, and other organic objects are among the most vulnerable family heirlooms. Handling them frequently can shorten their lifespan.
- Never nail, tack, or tape objects to the wall or hang them by their own straps or handles.
- Secure objects on display with interior and exterior supports that are padded with acid-free materials.
Storage
- Use acid-free boxes and polyethylene foam for packing and storing. To prevent distortion, gently pad the shape of the object with acid-free tissue paper.
Care
- Lift organic materials below the center of gravity. Don't pick them up by their edges, rims, straps, or handles.
- Use a tray or box to carry articles that are fragile, supple, or have dangling parts.
- Clean undecorated and unpainted baskets, mats, leather, fur, and wooden objects with a low-powered vacuum cleaner, using the brush attachment covered with cheesecloth. Never apply water or cleaning agents.
- Never apply waxes, oils, leather dressings, or other coatings to objects made of organic materials
Glossary
acid-free tissue - In the course of time most tissue paper will become acidic and brittle with age. The acidity will transfer to adjacent objects causing these objects to become weaker and possibly discolored. Acid free tissue papers are specially processed to remove such contaminants. An 18 pound weight paper is useful for quilts, coverlets, and the storage of other flat textiles. For stuffing or interleaving, a lighter 12 pound paper is better. This lighter acid free paper is also known as "laminating tissue."
conservator - persons who periodically
examine objects, document their condition, and, if necessary, treat and repair
them to protect collections over time.
For more information or to locate a professional conservator, visit The
American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works.
muslin - a thin plain-weave cotton cloth used for curtains, sheets, and dresses
PAT test (photographic activity test) - a test that predicts possible interactions between photographic images and the enclosures in which they are stored. Boxes or other types of enclosures that hold several images, even if those images are in envelopes or sleeves, should be tested too. Many of the harmful chemicals in poor-quality enclosures can become airborne and, over time, work their way to the photograph.
PVC pipe - a lightweight, durable, and waterproof plastic pipe used for plumbing
polyethylene bags - flexible, extremely tough, and chemical-resistant plastic bags commonly used as sandwich or freezer storage
ragboard - board made from cotton and contains no wood (lignins). Little pulping or purification is required because cotton is the purest natural form of cellulose. Rag board is also called Museum Board, is acid-free and meets the standards set by the Library of Congress for museum quality matboard. It is available with or without buffering.
unbuffered - containing neither alkaline nor acid