[Nhcoll-l] Sea Turtle Shell Mold

[Simon Moore]

Hi Kayla,

Alcohol is what I would use as it’s quick, easy and effective.  This would be followed up by giving the scutes some dressing to replace any lost natural oils and there will likely be some discussion over which is best.  In the UK antique trade they recommend odour-free almond oil, rubbed in using the cotton buds / Q-tips, even though this is obv a veggie-based oil, it does work well.

With all good wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
www.natural-history-conservation.com


> On 17 Feb 2023, at 16:28, Kayla Sanders <kayla.sanders at mods.org> wrote:
> 
> Good Morning,
> 
> My name is Kayla Sanders and I am the Assistant Manager of Exhibits Collection and Development at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I would like to find out if you have any recommendations on cleaning mold growth from a taxidermy sea turtle shell. We have come across mold growth on several of our preserved sea turtle shells. 
> 
> We were thinking possibly using rubbing alcohol and Q-tips to clean the areas, but wanted to hear the advice from other museums.
> 
> If you could please let me know what you think might work best without damaging the shell, I would appreciate it.
> 
> Thank you, 
> 
> 
>  
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