Opinions Please

[eastlandb1]

Hello,
I have a glass display case with a variety of items. I have some paper items, medals with ribbons, daggers, badges (zinc and others), leather frogs, and a police bayonet with leather frog and leather scabbard. My humidity is between 30% to 35%. Is this an acceptable range and if not what can I do to bring the humidity up. Thanks, Robert

[jayhawkhenry]

I keep my room at about 40-45%. I have read different thing regarding the best amount of humidity. Too little is as bad as too much some times. What's good for paper is not always good for leather and of course steel.

I am also interested in what everyone else has to say.
Henry

[eastlandb1]

Anyone else?

[Paul R.]

eastlandb1- Humidity levels are hard to maintain through out the year. That why in most larger museums have a cold storage for leather and fur objects. Some museums that I consulted for have a freezer just for some leather items that are in poor condition. I am not saying go out a buy a freezer for your leather items. If possible Keep all leather, paper, metal, cermic, photographs items contain in there own boxes or wrap them in acid free paper. By keeping things seperate you can moniter them serveral times a year. It a good idea to purchase a mid price range humidity gauge. Keep the humidity as much as possible between 40-45% year round. During the winter months a humidifier is a good investment. in summer a dehumidifer is a must. Even if you live in the SW. united states. you don't want the humidity to spike for more that 7-10 day. Twice a day I check my home humidity even during the winter. Hope this helps Paul