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Caring for Wet Documents
Cleaning Wet Paper: Wet paper is fragile paper. Handle it with care. Before drying paper materials, wash documents or books that have been dirtied by floodwater or mud. Until documents are clean, take the safety precaution of wearing rubber gloves while handling flood-damaged materials. Gently remove caked-on dirt or mud. and, if materials are still wet, agitate them in a bath of clear water to remove dirt. Do not use this treatment for images that are blurred, feathered, or faded by flood damage. Avoid heat: While high heat and harsh sunlight will dry records quickly, they may permanently damage record materials and should be avoided.
Air Drying for Most Documents: Air drying will work for most documents, as long as some physical distortion is acceptable. To air dry, spread out papers on top of clean, absorbent material such as blotter paper, unprinted newspaper, paper towels, rags, etc. in a cool, dry area. Position fans to provide maximum air circulation around the documents. Laying documents out on stacks of screening with space between will promote drying by assisting air flow.
Air Drying Books: Do not open or close wet books or remove wet book covers. Books that have been flooded with dirty water should be washed before drying or freezing. The National Archives instructs: “Place interleaving material between the text block and the front and back covers. If time and supplies allow interleaving material should be placed intermittently throughout the text as well. Fan volumes open and stand them on edge with the interleaving paper extending beyond the edges of the book. Evaporation of water as it wicks into the interleaving paper will enhance drying. Replace interleaving paper as it becomes soaked and invert the volume each time to insure even drying.”
Freezing Books: Lay a sheet of freezer paper around a book’s cover, then pack spine down in a box. Keep coated papers or books wet by packing in boxes lined with garbage bags, then freeze until items can be properly dried.
- If records are particularly valuable, seek assistance from a preservation professional. For a referral, see the American Institute for Conservation's (AIC) Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator
- For more detailed instructions on caring for small collections, visit the National Archives Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers page
- For more detailed information on caring for large collections, visit the National Archives Salvage of Water Damaged Library Materials page.