Hello Textile & Costume Caretakers,
8/19 try again
I read Margarat's reply and agree but would like to explain & suggest
alternatives.
I have a few written handouts or a toll free #.

Water or drycleaning should only be a last resort. So don't for 5
years...until a conservator agrees. Many were never intended to be
washed and haven't yet and the finish is perfect.....
I recently identified 500 costume objects at a new forming historic
home to be terribly aggravated.  The home had been untouched for 100
years and objects in the attic floor had soot issues. Of course the
newbie washed them (in a wash bath) but yet now they are 50% less
valuable,, even crepe gauze, oh my....

Recommended Steps for cloth stabilization.
Air, Sun or seperate then vacuum and
roll or fold with cotton as a rH buffer.

What that means, more like our Grandma's cleaned annually.
Try to hang comforts, coverlets & wool blankets in groups, then pieced
quilts & applique... Sort first. Treat by type....
Hang quilts or musty clothing on clothes line indoors 6-12"
apart....Let hang for one week, lay white paper on ground underneath to
test. After drying time tamp each piece. Walk through middle and
examine visually for stains or specks. If you see puffs or black fine
powder dust, stop, as it has mildew in the batting. Needs seperated.
Save & do seperately in another space to isolate spread.

If you find any little shells dropping out of wool objects when you
unroll, seperate as these have dermestid beetle larvae issues... but
water will not cure. These need dried and vacuumed and later heat
treated and vacuumed.

Usually pieced cotton quilts have slight mildew but that is not an
issue. Let dry one week , lay on large tables and use a screen to cover
applique or piecing and a canister vacuum ( brush atachment with
cheesecloth wrapped around it) (I prefer a Rainbow water vacuum or
HEPA) and vacuum surface... then roll with old cotton sheets or product
Margaret recommended then store on metal shelf rolled. Do not stack if
possible. More shelving....more sheets or old towels or tissue.
Judy, If you would like to get more info., call.
Toll free 1-866-575-9296
Jennifer Hein
Midwest Preservation Conservator & Textile specialist


> > Pennsylvania Quilt & Textile Museum
in Lititz, PA (Lancaster County). This
>
quilts, clothing, and other
> textiles.
built a collection of about 50 additional quilts and some smaller
pieces,
planning a new exhibit, documenting and photographing quilts,
>
My question to the list is any advice for a newbie to the world of
museums and conservation.
conservation, storage, etc. Any tips welcome!
- what is the best way to get rid of the musty odors
> of some of our new acquisitions without harming the fabrics?
(
process of following guidelines from the American Textiles
> Museum for freezing several wool pieces in case there are any moth
eggs in  them. We are "critter-free" right now and want to stay that
way!

Naw no historic site ever is... Sometimes freezing worsens mold issues,
Comforts & quilts are best heat treated in the sun or air... Please
call.

www.lititzjunction.com.

Reply from
--Jennifer Hein
Preservation Consultant
Historic Object Conservator of Textiles, Leather & Ethnography
PO Box 90379, Indianapolis, IN 46290
317-575-9296



> PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT USE WATER TO CLEAN UNLESS YOUR WATER QUALITY IS
> EXCELLENT AND YOU TEST FOR WATER FASTNESS FIRST!
>