At 13:53 13-03-16, Martin Spaink wrote:

 >1 how to best clean them? I have lots of ideas here, but I'd like to
 >see what others have done to good results.

The question is: do you live near the sea or is it otherwise very humid there?

I have not had the problem, but I recommend steel wool -- without soap!

 >2 what to keep spares in if not paper envelopes?

Maybe the paper that is used to wrap tools in would keep the damp 
out.  Otherwise, wrapped in clingfilm and put into a 1 litre plastic 
sandwich bag with a good seal, having squeezed out the air.  This 
seems to work for keeping my silverware untarnished, which implies 
the the sulphurous air is not getting in.

Altenatively, keep your strings on top of the hot water heater (or in 
the linen cupboard, if such you have).

David

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