About a month ago I asked for and received some good information here on how to "launder" (literally) a large amount of cash that my grandma had in a bank safety deposit box that likely got flooded during the hurricane.  I finally made it to the bank today to get the contents of the box, and it did indeed flood (the waterline was just barely above where our box was), and I've been following the advice I received here, rinsing and drying the cash (it smells horrible when it first comes out of the box, a little better afterwards).

Also in the box are some papers for my mom.  I don't know how important/irreplaceable these are, but I'm trying to save them.  Any ideas?  They're currently bundled together with a rubber band, and some are in envelopes.  Should I let them dry before trying to open/unfold them, or try to open them all up while they're still wet?

--Mike

there is a company that specializes in freeze drying papers that have gotten wet, you need to keep them wet if you decide to send it to them.

Yes, I've heard about that... I'm not sure if these documents are valuable enough to my mom to warrant this kind of service.  But I don't know if there's anything I can do with them... I think any effort to unfold them is going to destroy them.

--Mike

I use to fix copiers some years ago, and a lot of people who kept their copiers in the basement
(this was in upstate NY), had problems caused by moisture in the paper. a lot of times, just sticking the paper in the microwave for a little while ( dependant on how much paper, and how damp it was) would drive out the moisture.

Quoted: I use to fix copiers some years ago, and a lot of people who kept their copiers in the basement (this was in upstate NY), had problems caused by moisture in the paper. a lot of times, just sticking the paper in the microwave for a little while ( dependant on how much paper, and how damp it was) would drive out the moisture.

If you try that, make sure there's no staples, paper clips, or metal-embossing on the paper, or you'll have a fire on your hands.

Freeze-drying is the preferred method.

I do this from time to time.  set up a "tent" with all the documents inside.  The docs have to be in milk crates or somthing similar so air can circulate.  put a dehumidifier in the "tent" or tented area.  better the dehumidifier the better (good ones can be rented).  last put a fan inside the tent to circulate the air.  Move the crates and docs around from time to time so all dries.  If you have too many documents to dry at once then freeze the rest in a freezer until ready to dry.  Joe

Quoted: I do this from time to time.  set up a "tent" with all the documents inside.  The docs have to be in milk crates or somthing similar so air can circulate.  put a dehumidifier in the "tent" or tented area.  better the dehumidifier the better (good ones can be rented).  last put a fan inside the tent to circulate the air.  Move the crates and docs around from time to time so all dries.  If you have too many documents to dry at once then freeze the rest in a freezer until ready to dry.  Joe

Should I attempt to unfold them before drying, or wait until after?

--Mike

Going downstairs now to get a large ziplock bag for my papers...

thanks for the topic

There's been good advice given here already.  Some additional resources:

EMERGENCY SALVAGE OF WET BOOKS AND RECORDS, Northeast Document Conservation Center

Other emergency management documents from the NEDCC

Tips for Salvaging Water Damaged Valuables, Heritage Preservation

Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers, National Archives

Quoted: There's been good advice given here already.  Some additional resources: EMERGENCY SALVAGE OF WET BOOKS AND RECORDS, Northeast Document Conservation Center Other emergency management documents from the NEDCC Tips for Salvaging Water Damaged Valuables, Heritage Preservation Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers, National Archives

Look at these, I mostly do smoke and fire damage and don't want to steer you wrong.  The drying we do is comercial and it is separated as it dryes.  We come along as it's drying and kinda fan the pages to allow air to get to the inner areas.  This takes days sometimes.  Joe