I've also wondered the same. I have used them to store my own woolens
and have also experimented, successfully, with non-traditional anoxic
treatments on some bug-fested sweaters, using Space Bags and
ThermaCaret air-activated heat packs sold in the drug stores for sports
injuries. The pacs appear to contain the same ingredients as Ageless
(see below) and certainly have the same granular feel both before and
after exhaustion of materials. Plus, the adhesive side designed to
stick to your back allows the very warm packet to be attached to
whichever side becomes "top" in the SpaceBag, away from the object. So
far, the SpaceBags have provided an airtight seal - at least for the
8-hour life of the packets-and the packet/packets deactivated (cool
down) within 30 min.
I mentioned this bit of Outsider Treatment to some textile conservators
at a recent regional meeting but haven't really had time to really
pursue the possibilities or do the investigative work needed. Any
feedback or ideas would be greatly appreciated . If proved safe, it
would great to know emergency help for infestations was as close as the
local drugstore.
Jane Hammond
Here's info about ThermaCare I just pulled up:
ThermaCare is an innovative topical heat therapy that provides pain
relief combined with long-lasting deep muscle relaxation. Each
ThermaCare HeatWrap has a heat pack area composed of oval heat discs
(ThermaCells) that contain iron, carbon, sodium chloride, sodium
thiosulfate, and water. When these heat cells are exposed to
atmospheric air, they undergo an exothermic oxidative reaction that
produces detectable levels of heat (40°C) for up to eight hours.
On Jan 13, 2005, at 3:08 PM, Mary Ballard wrote:
> Hi everyone: Our shy & retiring computer administrator Mignon (who
> keeps us
> organized) sent us this query & there seems to be a lot of interest,
> so I
> hope everyone will think about it & respond to the list, with cc:'s to
> the
> originators.
>
>>>>> "Mignon Erixon-Stanford" <[log in to unmask]> 01/13/05 02:18PM >>>
>> Question for the textiles experts...
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kiersten Latham" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 1:01 PM
>> Subject: Re: Space Bags
>>
>>
>> I am VERY interested in this question too. Amazingly, I was just
> thinking
>> similar thoughts earlier this week!
>>
>> Kiersten F. Latham, Collection Manager
>> Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center
>> 1100 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501
>> 620-662-2305 x309
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Registrars Committee of the AAM on behalf of Susan Smyer
>> Sent: Thu 1/13/2005 11:51 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Space Bags
>>
>> Good morning everyone,
>>
>> I need to store large numbers of sheet, pillowcases and wool blankets
>> for lengthy periods of time and I don't have much climate-controlled
>> space for storage. Have any of you used Space Bags that vacuum out
>> air
>> and compress the bags? They are made from polyethylene and nylon which
>> is probably OK to use, but I would like to know if they off-gas or do
>> anything horrible to textiles.
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>>
>> Susan Smyer
>> Collections Manager
>> Battleship TEXAS SHS
>> 3527 Battleground Rd.
>> La Porte, TX 77571
>> (281) 479-2431 ex.239
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>
> Mary W. Ballard
> Senior Textiles Conservator
> Smithsonian Center for Materials Research & Education
> 4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD 20746 USA
> tel: 301-238-1210 fax: 301-238-3709
> email: [log in to unmask]
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