Don't store your chess set for 25 years (anyone know how to clean?)

Got back into chess at the tail end of last year.  Had not played a game for twelve years.  Also had not played through games with my full sized Staunton Set for 25 years (I have a pretty good travel set).  Talking on line to a legend and how he would like to have a set such as the one I had in storage, looked it out to follow the last round of Norway chess. 

It had been in a wooden box.  For at least 25 years. 
The board had been propped against an outer cupboard wall.

The board had split (probably because of swings in humidity) but the pieces were in a disgusting state, not just dust of which there was plenty, but some sort of gunk, sticky gunk.  The black pieces have also changed colour.  Gave them a wipe as best I could and set 'em up. 

Still a lovely set... this is the set I used to use to play through games from books.  Lovely on the hand and the eye, triple weighted, not a Jacques Set but it was about a week's wages back when I bought it in the late 80s... 

I do not know much about wood, anyone know or could recommend how to clean it as it is very VERY sticky still. 


   

How to clean and revive an old chess set - Part 1

How to clean and revive an old chess set - Part 2

https://www.officialstaunton.com/pages/how-to-look-after-your-heirloom-chess-sets#:~:text=If%20a%20piece%20gets%20sticky,them%20with%20a%20dry%20cloth.

I’ve had success with an ever-so-slightly-diluted microfiber rag (80-90% water, 10%-20 dish soap) on one of the corners (ring it out so it’s barely damp). A little finessing and slight elbow grease, then dry with a separate microfiber or using one of the dry corners of the original rag.

I used this method on a vintage board to get all the excessive grime and gunk from years of play off. It turned out fantastic! I also achieved amazing results on a Jaque Mate No.11 set that had a lot of black finishing rings and contact marks on the white pieces. Special care and planning should be taken into account regarding each finish and best method for such. As with any method, just don’t overdo, start with a small test surface, and adjust from there! I typically carry and use microfibers to wipe my pieces periodically, and this seems to work well against buildup.

Thanks very much for these links. The video is very interesting indeed.
And has given me a clear way of cleaning up my set.
Thanks again!

I watched those videos and thought they'd be helpful in your situation (especially "Part 1"). I'm glad you found them useful. Good luck.