Ideal Humidity and Temprature for Collection?

derek · 10th July 2005, 12:39 AM

Excellent info guys, thanks.

I recently had an AC breakdown and the humidity shot up from 40% to about 65% in a very short time. All is working now and it's back down to 40%, but it got me thinking.

I'll keep reading, but based on what I'm hearing - and seeing with my own stuff - it's probably a good idea to keep an eye on the leather and wood, horn and ivory. Mineral oil is one of the best tools in my preservation arsenal, I use it on metal, horn and ivory. It's cheap too. I don't think it will harm wood or leather (after all, isn't japanese clove oil mostly mineral oil w/ a hint of clove for scent?), but is there something better to fight the dry air?

BTW, I had an apartment in the UAE that had humidity levels at 80% at one point and I can tell you that NOTHING was comfortable with that. Our clothes got a faint hint of mildew and the leather on my sword scabbards got moldy

. On the other hand, 40% does in fact get pretty dry in the winter and it affects our skin. I'm sure it dries leather and wood as well. My blades like it, though.

10th July 2005, 12:39 AM	#6
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Excellent info guys, thanks. I recently had an AC breakdown and the humidity shot up from 40% to about 65% in a very short time. All is working now and it's back down to 40%, but it got me thinking. I'll keep reading, but based on what I'm hearing - and seeing with my own stuff - it's probably a good idea to keep an eye on the leather and wood, horn and ivory. Mineral oil is one of the best tools in my preservation arsenal, I use it on metal, horn and ivory. It's cheap too. I don't think it will harm wood or leather (after all, isn't japanese clove oil mostly mineral oil w/ a hint of clove for scent?), but is there something better to fight the dry air? BTW, I had an apartment in the UAE that had humidity levels at 80% at one point and I can tell you that NOTHING was comfortable with that. Our clothes got a faint hint of mildew and the leather on my sword scabbards got moldy . On the other hand, 40% does in fact get pretty dry in the winter and it affects our skin. I'm sure it dries leather and wood as well. My blades like it, though.