Introduction; The historic house context The National Trust Experience; History of housekeeping; Conservation: principles, practice and ethics; Agents of deterioration; Physical agents of deterioration; Chemical agents of deterioration; Biological agents of deterioration; Light as an agent of deterioration; Relative humidity as an agent of deterioration; Planning and managing housekeeping; Housekeeping tasks; Stonework; Mosaics and decorative tiles; Plasterwork; Painted interiors: wall paintings and painted decoration; Wallpaper; Woodwork; Floors; Floor coverings; Window glass; Metalwork; Decorative light fittings; Stone, plaster and terracotta; Ceramics; Glass,; Metals; Arms and armour; Clocks and watches; Scientific instruments; Musical instruments; Furniture; Gilded and painted wood; Lacquer and japanning; Leather; Textiles; Tapestries, carpets and rugs; Linens and whitework; Costume and accessories; Paper; Glazed framed paper and other materials; Books,; Photographs; Paintings; Portrait miniatures; Polychrome sculpture; Natural history collections; World culture collections; Archaeological collections; Plastics; Collections outdoors; Outdoor stone; Outdoor metals; Outdoor wood; Vehicles; Keeping records; Health and safety; Historic house technology; Opening historic houses; Staffing historic houses; Storage; Building work: planning and protection; Events: planning and protection; Display cases and exhibitions; Interpreting conservation; Living in historic houses; Transporting objects; Commissioning conservation work; Appendix I: Equipment store; Appendix II: Methods of housekeeping protection; Appendix III: Specialist items; Appendix IV: Suppliers; General Bibliography; Useful Organizations; About the Authors; Index