The chlorides present in the corrosion region of marine iron were found to be predominately iron oxy-chloride (FeOCl). The kinetics of chloride release from marine iron into wash solutions at various pH and temperature were determined experimentally and a mechanism was proposed. Working from this mechanism a process was designed to maximize the efficiency of washing techniques for treatment of marine iron. This process, which involved washing in a hot alkaline sulfite solution, was investigated, and its efficiency in the removal of chloride and its effect on the corrosion products of marine iron were determined. Authors' addresses: Department of Material Conservation and Restoration, Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth 6000, Western Australia.