"......I interviewed Lucy Cadwallader, an artisan who makes hair jewelry using Victorian methods, and she stated that she cleans hair with baking soda and water prior to weaving.
Can anyone advise whether this would be the preferred method to protect hair from bacteria/pests? Any other information about these objects would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much." --Julie Brown ******************* I am pretty sure baking soda should not be used to clean hair, as it is alkaline and hair is a protein. Any cleaning agent should be neutral/non-ionic. I would also discourage the use of water, since degraded hair could be damaged by it. The best treatment may be just good storage techniques and protection from agents of deterioration, especially insects. If it is soiled, perhaps a little anhydrous alcohol could be used sparingly, but be careful about the possibility of any glues that may be affected by solvents. Careful low-pressure vacuuming with a barrier layer of thick, fuzzy Vellux can be done easily and safely to remove dust. Linda Roundhill Art and Antiquities Conservation, LLC Woodinville, WA Website: www.conservation-arts.com 425-481-0720 ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Archives through August 2016 at http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/ Archives from September 2016 onward at https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
