Connecting to Collections Care

Hi everyone!

Our museum has recently acquired a World War I uniform and we are wondering what methods or conservators you have used to clean it? The uniform needs cleaning and we want to be as cautious as possible during this process. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated! We are located in Idaho so anything local to the Boise area would be great, but we can also ship out if need be. Thanks in advance! 

------------------------------
Hannah Farris
Museum Assistant
Eagle ID
------------------------------

I would start with a very thorough vacuuming (through a screen). That may be all it needs, but we will then reassess.and go from there. NO DRY-CLEANING 

------------------------------
Craig Deller
FAIC
FIIC
------------------------------

Hi Hannah,

If you are able to, I recommend consulting with a professional conservator before you attempt any cleaning yourself. Without having seen the uniform (or photos) or evaluated its condition, it's difficult to say what cleaning can be done safely. After learning more about the uniform and the context, a conservator will be able to advise on the appropriate way to proceed.

You can use the AIC Find a Professional tool to see if there is a textile conservator near you. If not, you may be able to find someone who will travel, or as you said shipping can work too (they will be able to give guidance on the specifics of that). The AIC guide Hiring a Conservation Professional is a good resource, as is NEDCC's Choosing and Working with a Conservator.

If you opt not to work with a professional, this article on The Care and Preservation of Antique Textiles and Costumes has lots of good background information as well as a more detailed section about cleaning. I also recommend searching for "textiles" or "costumes" in the Connecting to Collections Care resources and exploring what's available there.

Please let me know if more questions come up, and thank you for your question.

Rebecca

------------------------------
Rebecca Smyrl
Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
Assistant Conservator for Special Collections
UNC Chapel Hill Libraries
Chapel Hill NC
(919) 962-4250
------------------------------

Hello Hannah,

I am happy to walk you through the steps of determining what you can clean in-house and what you need a textile conservator for. There are many cases in which the collections team can perform the necessary treatment, but it is best to consult first with a conservator. My handouts for vacuuming textiles etc. are available on our website www.museumtextiles.com/resources. I can be reached at camille@museumtextiles.com.

Best,

Camille

------------------------------
Camille Breeze
Director & Chief Conservator
Museum Textile Services
Andover MA
------------------------------