Thanks, I didn't know that about basic harming protein fibers. Aren't most detergents/soaps basic?
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 7:00 PM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] cleaning question I'm wearing two hats here. 1. I've dabbled in silversmithing 2. I'm working on a degree in textiles. One way to clean oxidization off of silver jewelry is to soak it in a solution called "pickle," usually a weak acid, usually heated. Some people use vinegar. Protein fibers are damaged by basic solutions, but are slightly strengthened by weak acids. Vinegar is frequently used to set acid dyes (used with protein fibers), usually in a hot dyebath. If you make a vinegar-water solution and heat it up, keeping it below a simmer, and immerse and soak your cloth of silver in it, that *should* do the trick. It won't be instantaneous, it may take half an hour or more. Emma > On the cloth of gold thread, Bess mentioned cloth of silver. I have a > small piece (about 1 yard square), but it is tarnished where it was > exposed to the air when folded. Any ideas on how to remove the tarnish > from the silver without harming the silk? > Sharon C. > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
