Hello Estie Fans,

Recently acquired my Estie display case, circa 1952. Trying to win one on ebay for 2 years; at last my treasure is here. Holds 24 pens, 12 bottom row, 12 top row. Will photograph with my collection and post...

BUT...

Unfortunately the seller was not completely honest when I specifically asked if there was any moldy or mildew smell; the wood inside and the pen holder has a mildew/mold problem. Not too bad, but it’s there.

I’ve done some web research, and it sounds like taking a capful of bleach in a cup of warm water to ALL wood surfaces, then wipe down with clean water several times. The air out in the sunlight (for uv I guess). An antique dealer said nix the chlorox, and just use mild dish soap detergent/water to clean and sunlight as a less invasive alternative.

Does anyone have any insights on how to get mold mildew off the bare wood surface (unpainted), and especially the microspore's smell of the velvety pen holder material? This material looks perfect, but still has the mildew/mold smell that the rest of the case has.

Happy Holidays to all, and thank you so much!

Ellis


cc to Brian

Maybe some arm and hammer?

Maybe the sunlight helps keep mold from growing back while it's drying.

A friend uses kitty litter to get the smell out of old books and maybe it will work for the display also. She puts the book in a zip lock bag or plastic with the kitty litter and leaves it until the odors are absorbed.

Also, try checking a hardware store to see if there is a product available that's safer for wood than water.

I would make up a thin paste of baking soda and either water (if finish damged) or lemon oil (only if the finish is intact) and gently polish / clean the wood (only) with that. Dry in the sun / air out. If there's still a smell dust w/ baking soda liberally and seal in a plastic garbage bag for a day or three. Vacuum afterwards, dust and wipe off gently, then polish and wax the wood.

William

Hi Will,

Thanks for the advice; you seem very confident and sure, like you really have done this before. I took your advice, and it seems to have worked pretty well. Found 2 screws that held the bottom wood in, and was able to take the glass out for a better wood cleaning. Glass is painted, so just wiped it off with a dry rag and vacumed with soft brush attachement; don't think it's a good idea to get the paint wet at all.

I'll sun it out, and close it up and give it a sniff later. Maybe put in a anti-humidity bag too...you think?

thanks for your post,
Ellis

(CD7 suggested Arm & Hammer as well.)

Glad it worked out --- I used to help my landlady w/ antique restoration for her shop in lieu of rent when I was in college.

Quite agree on _not_ getting the paint wet (but it's probably only on one side, so you can use a more aggressive glass cleaner on the flip side).

You shouldn't need an anti-humidity bag as long as there's a sufficient quantity of baking soda to absorb the moisture (and the odour) since it's a small thing and you won't have too much air in with it.

Congratulations on the wonderful find!

William
(who made a couple of cardboard pen boxes for presentation of Christmas pens --- still have one, will have to take photos w/ my new Sanyo Xacti HD1A)