Must, Mildew on unused gummed stamps

Hi --

Concerning stamps that have a slight musty/mildewy smell:

I had some stamps in a dry basement but they still took on a mild musty
smell -- no visual damage just a noticable mildew smell. For used stamps I
just soak in a little water/vinigar solution or water/antibacterial soap
solution and they clean up nicely -- but I am wondering what to do with new
stamps with gum on the back (so can not soak those in water!)

Thanks for any advice (beside the most obvious which is do not store them in
my basement!)

On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 17:19:38 GMT, "mBird" wrote:

Hi --

Concerning stamps that have a slight musty/mildewy smell:

I had some stamps in a dry basement but they still took on a mild musty
smell -- no visual damage just a noticable mildew smell. For used stamps I
just soak in a little water/vinigar solution or water/antibacterial soap
solution and they clean up nicely -- but I am wondering what to do with new
stamps with gum on the back (so can not soak those in water!)

Thanks for any advice (beside the most obvious which is do not store them in
my basement!)

As long as there's not foxing, toning or whatever - get a tupperware
type container, add a few of those freshener "barrels" they come in
medicines / etc. or some of those fresheners used in other foods / etc
as long as they're clean.

Add stamps to the container and let them sit for a few days. Some of
the mustiness should be gone.

This was relayed to the group a few months back - YMMV.

Tracy Barber

"Tracy Barber" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 17:19:38 GMT, "mBird" wrote:

Hi --

Concerning stamps that have a slight musty/mildewy smell:

As long as there's not foxing, toning or whatever - get a tupperware
type container, add a few of those freshener "barrels" they come in
medicines / etc. or some of those fresheners used in other foods / etc
as long as they're clean.

Tracy,

You mean desiccants. My wife and I affectionately call them "do not eats"
because they are generally labelled "do not eat". If you go to your local
pharmacy you could ask them to keep them for you - I married a pharmacist so
I know they end up with lots.

Frank

Hi there!

Concerning stamps that have a slight musty/mildewy smell:

I don't mean to be the bringer of bad news, but these stamps are
infused with mold/mildew/fungus spores! But, don't worry, you aren't
in any imminent danger of losing your stamps.

I had some stamps in a dry basement but they still took on a mild musty
smell -- no visual damage just a noticable mildew smell.

I'm not sure how old the basement is, but at some time it must have
had a damp problem. The spores moved in and settled down for a bit -
then they got dried out, but the spores only became quiescent.

For used stamps I
just soak in a little water/vinigar solution or water/antibacterial soap
solution and they clean up nicely

The water/vinegar is probably the better of the two methods. The
antibacterial soap does nothing for the fungal spores. You got them
wet and then dried them out - for a brief period the spores were damp
and they love that, you shut them down again when you dried them out.

For the used stamp you have a couple of options - and both are
successful. The easier of the methods is to go to a grocery/pharmacy
and purchase a small bottle of liquid "Tinactin". This is used for
Athlete's foot. Put 5-6 drops in a bowl with 2 cups (1/2 litre) of
warm water. Soak the "USED" stamps about 20 minutes and let them dry.
Or, you can go to a paint/hardware store and purchase a bottle/can/tin
of fungicide additive. This is the stuff ones adds to paint to kill
mildew. There are two kinds, one for oil paint (this is not the one
you want) or one for water-based latex paint - but it's more powerful
than the Tinactin - only 3-4 drops per 1/2 litre-2 cups warm water.

The mint stamps are the ones that probably concern you most.

The small capsules of dessicant do work - but they only dry out the
spores. Nothing is going to make them go away except a dunking in a
fungicide - but this isn't an option.

You can use the dessicant capsules or a box of "Arm & Hammer Baking
Soda" (not baking powder). Sprinkle about 1/2 inch of this in a
covered container. Then take a drying sheet (the kind you toss in a
clothes dryer) put this on top of the soda and then cover all of this
with a paper towel/serviette. Lay your stamps atop the paper towel
and wait a day or longer. They'll be very dry and smell much nicer.

IF (note the capital letters) you keep your stamps in a cabinet with
doors you'll want to get an item called a "Dampp-Chaser" yes, two p's
on damp. It looks much like a shower curtain rod. In actuality it is
nothing more than a small heater. These were originally made to keep
grand piano sound boards dry and prevent them from cracking. But
they're now used in closets and anywhere a dry climate is desired.
They come in lengths of 28 inches up to about 5 feet. They can be
mounted beneath the lowest shelf in a cabinet, plugged in and for
about 40 cents a month will circulate warm and dry air in a closed
environment - This will keep your albums and stamps safe for a very
long time.

Just do a search on google - but be careful, some places charge
incredible amounts for them - others only a few dollars.

Thanks for any advice (beside the most obvious which is do not store them in
my basement!)

Hope this helps - and you're welcome!

Handshakes,

Dakota

Re. Dessicants. I work for a screw,bolt and tool wholesaler which
sources most of its products in the far east. Most packaging contains
small sachets of dessicant crystals. I store my stamps awaiting
mounting in my conservatory(high humidity). I use an rtight box with
acouple of sachets inside with the stamps. Once the original moisture
has been extracted by the dessicant they stay nice and dry and smell
not at all.

As an aside periodically dry out the dessicant sachets in a warm ( not
hot ) oven. Pop them in on Christmas Day after removing the Turkey-
there a novel talking point for Christmas- astonish your friends -
they will be certain that stamp collectrs are mad!!!!

Regards

Malcolm

Seriously though check your local hardware shop - these crystals in
sachets are better that the loose crystals from a pharmacy.Silica gel
is the stuff to use.

(Dakota) wrote in message om...
Hi there!

Concerning stamps that have a slight musty/mildewy smell:

I don't mean to be the bringer of bad news, but these stamps are
infused with mold/mildew/fungus spores! But, don't worry, you aren't
in any imminent danger of losing your stamps.

I had some stamps in a dry basement but they still took on a mild musty
smell -- no visual damage just a noticable mildew smell.

I'm not sure how old the basement is, but at some time it must have
had a damp problem. The spores moved in and settled down for a bit -
then they got dried out, but the spores only became quiescent.

For used stamps I
just soak in a little water/vinigar solution or water/antibacterial soap
solution and they clean up nicely

The water/vinegar is probably the better of the two methods. The
antibacterial soap does nothing for the fungal spores. You got them
wet and then dried them out - for a brief period the spores were damp
and they love that, you shut them down again when you dried them out.

For the used stamp you have a couple of options - and both are
successful. The easier of the methods is to go to a grocery/pharmacy
and purchase a small bottle of liquid "Tinactin". This is used for
Athlete's foot. Put 5-6 drops in a bowl with 2 cups (1/2 litre) of
warm water. Soak the "USED" stamps about 20 minutes and let them dry.
Or, you can go to a paint/hardware store and purchase a bottle/can/tin
of fungicide additive. This is the stuff ones adds to paint to kill
mildew. There are two kinds, one for oil paint (this is not the one
you want) or one for water-based latex paint - but it's more powerful
than the Tinactin - only 3-4 drops per 1/2 litre-2 cups warm water.

The mint stamps are the ones that probably concern you most.

The small capsules of dessicant do work - but they only dry out the
spores. Nothing is going to make them go away except a dunking in a
fungicide - but this isn't an option.

You can use the dessicant capsules or a box of "Arm & Hammer Baking
Soda" (not baking powder). Sprinkle about 1/2 inch of this in a
covered container. Then take a drying sheet (the kind you toss in a
clothes dryer) put this on top of the soda and then cover all of this
with a paper towel/serviette. Lay your stamps atop the paper towel
and wait a day or longer. They'll be very dry and smell much nicer.

IF (note the capital letters) you keep your stamps in a cabinet with
doors you'll want to get an item called a "Dampp-Chaser" yes, two p's
on damp. It looks much like a shower curtain rod. In actuality it is
nothing more than a small heater. These were originally made to keep
grand piano sound boards dry and prevent them from cracking. But
they're now used in closets and anywhere a dry climate is desired.
They come in lengths of 28 inches up to about 5 feet. They can be
mounted beneath the lowest shelf in a cabinet, plugged in and for
about 40 cents a month will circulate warm and dry air in a closed
environment - This will keep your albums and stamps safe for a very
long time.

Just do a search on google - but be careful, some places charge
incredible amounts for them - others only a few dollars.

Thanks for any advice (beside the most obvious which is do not store them in
my basement!)

Hope this helps - and you're welcome!

Handshakes,

Dakota

Wow that is great info -- I appretiate it all the tips! I will try some and
report back in the future how they worked.

On 31 Jul 2003 02:04:36 -0700, (malcolm
hirst) wrote:

Re. Dessicants.

As an aside periodically dry out the dessicant sachets in a warm ( not
hot ) oven. Pop them in on Christmas Day after removing the Turkey-
there a novel talking point for Christmas- astonish your friends -
they will be certain that stamp collectrs are mad!!!!

Regards

Malcolm


Malcolm:

You're not supposed to serve the warmed silica gel sachets for
Christmas dessert then? 38*O

No wonder my non-philatelic friends thought I was mad. I didn't
know whether to serve them with custard or with 'hard sauce'. ;-)

Cheers
Blair



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