Lauren: This past summer, the paper conservation staff in the Forbidden City were using damp wheat flour rolls--the flour is mixed with water & kneaded a little, then allowed to sit for a few minutes. The stickiness disappears & a smooth eraser like consistency appears [this is a classic reaction that cooks will recognize]. A hunk is broken off and rolled over a surface to pick up dry particulate soil: soot, dust, dirt. It can be refolded (re-formed) and used until it is gray from the particles. Then it's thrown away. I was thinking that this method was more efficient (no crumbs, no cooking) than bread crumbs. Somehow, either bread crumbs or dough seem only appropriate for flat, smooth surfaces--hairless monofilaments like silk or nonwovens like paper. I always thought of breadcrumbs as a wallpaper cleaner. And staple yarns would be more problematic and soft carded yarns (wool sweater?) might be "a big mistake." This could be a nice science project or rainy weekend! Mary

>>> [log in to unmask] 3/7/2006 3:48:35 PM >>>
I am searching for a recipe for bread used in dry surface cleaning of
textiles.
I know that it is a very old and not often used technique, however I have
heard of it and would appreciate help in finding the specifics of the
bread ingredients and how to perform the treatment.
Thank-you in advance!
-Lauren Allan
(Queen's University Student)

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