Getting mold or mildew off old record jackets

Who, me? A couple of BTW's: Most of what I talked about concerns records from the early 70's, 60's and 50's (thin-jacketed 80's sleeves, for instance, tend to be colorfast and glossy all over; 40's jackets nowhere). For tape and label adhesive residue, forget about all of above, including alcohol, which will usually just move the adhesive around into a larger blotch if it does anything. If you are determined and willing to risk it, only WD-40 or a dedicated adhesive remover (I have a product called B'laster E-Z Take-Away, but there are others) stand a chance of disolving old glue, but be very conservative and only blot it up, don't rub. And if it looks like it ossified forty years ago, give up before you start. For pencil (and some dirt, too), a white draftsman's eraser can be of help sometimes; for ballpoint and magic marker, not. Good luck!

Wipe off as much as possible with a clean dry cloth and spray a FINE mist of Lysol on to the jacket from a distance, so as not to soak the jacket. Then let it air dry. The problem with mold and mildew is it keeps growing back if you don't kill it. I have never ruined an album cover with Lysol.Just go easy with it. If you soak it, the paper cover will lift off the cardboard. The fine mist of Lysol will kill the mildew and air drying allows a light residue of Lysol to remain on the jacket to inhibit further growth problems. Keep any mildewed albums separated from other albums so as not to "infect" any other jackets with the problem. It is a living thing and will move onto your other albums.

Why would you care about damaging the mold or mildew? :)

OK guys I am going to reveal my secret weapons.

Go to Container Store and buy the Plexiglas cleaner called Novus Plastic Polish in the spray bottle. This removes all but glue, will not harm the paper, improves the gloss inks and plastics by a full grade, and will not harm anything.

To remove adhesive labels use Bestine. This is a brand name solvent manufactured by Best Test Company and is used to reduce rubber cement that was once the mainstay of graphic artists.

To have a shot at erasing Sharpie Pen ink, such as a persons signature on a LP cover, try Marshall's Super Marlene. This is a photo product used to clean textured photo papers when applying oils during hand tinting process.

I have used all these product for more than twenty years with no ill effect to myself or my record collection.

Water will not kill mildew and will even help it grow. It may look like the mildew is gone but it will more than likely come back. Lysol may work but not as well as bleach. I'm not saying that it can't damage the jacket but if you are careful it shouldn't. Start with a mild solution in an inconspicuous spot. A white area is a good place to start and only dampen the area. Do not saturate it.