Wet Cleaning

Wet (or aqueous) cleaning treatments are used to reduce oxidation, minimize staining, and remove contaminants from paper.  Sometimes works on paper are bathed and other times they are humidified or rinsed with a fine mist.  A treatment can be performed locally in specific areas or generally to the entire sheet.  The method of choice depends greatly on the medium and its response to initial testing.  The conservator is at all times aware of the type, composition, and age of the paper since this greatly influences the safest method of treatment.