A "Mildew" question

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Posted By: Bob S

Now that I'm back posting I'm going to limit myself to one new topic post per day. LOL

I have noticed on a few T3's the faint smell of mildew. But there are no visual signs on the cabinets like the black/dark brown spots, etc.

Is this a problem, and can sealing the cabinets in a plastic bag with baking soda (separated from touching the card, of course) help to permanently remove the odor, an/or prevent visual damage from developing?

Thanks.

Bob

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Rather than baking soda, I would try silica gel.
My uneducated thinking is this: the safest way to stop mildew is to remove moisture. That baking soda has a capability to absorb some odors is generally accepted, but Im not sure about its safety in this situation. Specifically, I think baking soda is somewhat alkaline. If so, the pH on the surface of your cards could be adversely affected; thereby causing deterioration.

However, my (again) uninformed thinking is that mildew is a living thing, a fungus. I am not sure that it requires moisture to persist, but I think so. And I know that silica gel removes moisture. And that silica gel is neutral, and therefore will not affect your card's pH.

Lets hope that someone who really understands this, will chime in.

[Archive]

Posted By: John S

Call me sick...but I kind of like that smell on all old cards.

Stay away from the baking soda however. Being a basic substance it could cause a chemical reaction with any of the acidic dyes or paper components. Even if the baking soda does not touch the cards a small percentage of it could become volatile. The silica, as Gil stated, would be a better option.