I have seen 2-3 television shows in the USA featuring how the textile pieces are stored at the Smithsonian, etc.. One was an extensive interview Martha Stewart did with one textile archivist (if that is the correct term). All programs experts stated they keep them in Rubbermaid containers, as they were of the plastic that did not affect ancient textiles in any way. They used acid-free tissue for "soft folds", and of course the item must be completely dry. Rubbermaid is "polycarbonate plastic" and in the US, I am certain that Sterilite is of the same fabrication, and priced lower. No matter the brand, that is the composition that is considered archival quality and will not damage textiles over time. I have walls of shelved textiles in polycarbonate, some for 30 years, and never a problem. (They went into cleaning and so forth too, putting the item over a base foundation in the "wash", such as cheesecloth or muslin to lift it with, and use Ivory soap. That is the simple gist of it, but rinsing, rinsing, rinsing is critical, and distilled H2O of course).
HTH,Susan Reishus Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 11:11:13 -0400 From: "Earl & Ruth Johnson" <[email protected]> Subject: [lace] Long-term storage of cotton christening gown set My sister-in-law entrusted to my care a four-piece cotton christening (baptismal) gown set that had been in her family for several generations. It was quite yellowed, but after long soaks in Orvus soap and final rinses in distilled water, it is looking much, much better. A few brown spots remain, but I do not believe it advisable to treat the fabric further. Before returning it, I will wrap the pieces in acid-free tissue paper and place them in a storage container of some kind. What advice can you, my fellow Arachnians, give me about a container, especially regarding the material from which it is made? Thanks for your help, Ruth Johnson Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (where spring has sprung) - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
