Textile conservation involves preventative and restorative techniques to care for fabrics and woven materials. Factors contributing to deterioration include organic decayers, UV rays, and certain gases. Proper handling and storage, as well as cleaning and reinforcement, are key to conservation.
Textile conservation refers to the care, maintenance, and restoration of fabrics and woven materials. Several elements contribute to the breakdown of textiles over time. Professionals trained in textile conservation practice preventative and restorative techniques. Damage prevention includes proper handling and storage, while restoration requires a number of case-by-case techniques, including documentation of the part’s condition, cleaning, and reinforcement.
A variety of factors contribute to textile deterioration and the need for conservation. Organic decayers like bacteria, mold and insects can destroy textiles. Exposure to heat and UV rays can also cause fibers to become weak and brittle and can affect the color of textiles. Certain gases can become acidic and eat into the material as well.
Preventive textile conservation includes proper handling. An artisan treats each piece with care, cleaning his hands to minimize contact with the skin’s natural oils, as well as lotions and other chemicals. He or she may also use white cotton gloves for extremely delicate materials. This conservationist works on a clean, flat surface, free of items such as writing instruments and supplies, and especially food and drink.
Proper storage involves keeping textiles in special frames that preserve the fabric with UV-protective glass or Plexiglas. Larger textiles, such as quilts or banners, are usually placed on a sturdy metal powder-coated frame. Museums and archive centers generally also store textiles in a room with controlled temperature, light, and humidity. The pieces are also kept away from other materials such as wood, iron, and newspaper, which could contribute to their deterioration. Only cotton, polyester batting, or acid-free paper, unsized, is stored with a textile.
Restorative textile conservation restores a work to its original state, or as close as possible. Conservators painstakingly document the current state of a textile piece, including the condition of the fibers, weave and dye types, and thread count. Any paint used on the textile is identified and evaluated along with other custom details.
Cleaning and disinfection of a part in deionized water is a common restorative technique. The artifacts are carefully soaked in a special solution that sometimes contains sodium silicate solution and hydrogen peroxide for especially dirty fabrics. Cleaning recipes may be necessary for particular stains, such as those created from the erosion of copper.
The conservation of textiles may require the reinforcement of especially fragile pieces. The material can be attached to cotton, synthetic, or fiberglass mesh to strengthen it. Particularly fragile or worn textiles can be mounted between glass or plastic. A heat seal adhesive can also be ironed on to the back of the fabric. Any broken or frayed threads must be re-taped to prevent further damage.
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