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I am the newest Curator (In self training) of a small historic home museum, and I've quickly learned my battle with insects inside the home will definitely be year round. One room has $50k worth of gorgeous Italian silk drapes that have unfortunately fell victim to these pests. Is there any safe method to removing the droppings without having to send them out?

the drapes out for cleaning? 

Hi Candace, 

Congratulations on your position! I am the acting C2C Care Monitor this week, and while I am not a textile specialist, I do have experience cleaning historic interiors and can offer a few tips and resources for cleaning textiles. 

The first step would be to examine them and make sure they are in good structural condition. The photograph you sent shows what looks like some sturdy drapes, but silk textiles can be tricky, so keep an eye out for weak areas. You'll want to vacuum them with a variable suction vacuum on a low setting using a clean brush attachment. For tricky areas like tassels, you'll want to lay down a fiberglass screen before vacuuming to prevent picking up tassels or other fibers. 

Anything you cannot get with the vacuum (some of those insect casings might want to stick) you can remove using tweezers. I like using plastic tweezers because they don't snag as much for me. 

This video from the National Parks Service has some great information and demonstrations (though I find the music oddly foreboding!). I also like these general guidelines for historic interiors. 

If droppings remain after dry cleaning or if the drapes are not in stable structural condition, I would recommend reaching out to a textile conservator for further guidance. 

Hope this helps! 

Maddie 

------------------------------
C2CC Monitor
Madeline Cooper
Associate Preventive Conservator
Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts
Philadelphia PA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-06-2024 12:03
From: Candance Near
Subject: Silk drape cleaning

I am the newest Curator (In self training) of a small historic home museum, and I've quickly learned my battle with insects inside the home will definitely be year round. One room has $50k worth of gorgeous Italian silk drapes that have unfortunately fell victim to these pests. Is there any safe method to removing the droppings without having to send them out?

the drapes out for cleaning? 

I am the newest Curator (In self training) of a small historic home museum, and I've quickly learned my battle with insects inside the home will definitely be year round. One room has $50k worth of gorgeous Italian silk drapes that have unfortunately fell victim to these pests. Is there any safe method to removing the droppings without having to send them out?

the drapes out for cleaning? 

Hi Candance – Long-time textile conservator with lots of experience with silk drapes. A few more questions for you first. 

From your image, it appears to be flyspecks. Of course, if the drapes were a dark colour, the flyspecks would not have the visual impact that they do on the lighter colour drapes. Where are the flyspecks located on the drape? How many drape panels have flyspecks? How many drape panels are there? What are the measurements for a panel? How old are the silk drapes?

Also from your image, it appears that attached to the silk drape is an semi-elaborate trimming at the hem/side(s) (how many sides?) – are all of the components of the trimming also all made from fibre media (i.e. no wood cores; no cardboard cores; no metallic looking threads/wires)? How is the trimming attached to the drape panel (i.e. hand sewn on; trimming heading sewn in to a seam; etc.)? How are the drapes lined and interlined (i.e. fibre content(s) and weave type of each)?  How are each panel hung up (i.e. method of attachment)? 

Alas, you are correct in realizing that one of your year-long battles will be with insects!

I am the newest Curator (In self training) of a small historic home museum, and I've quickly learned my battle with insects inside the home will definitely be year round. One room has $50k worth of gorgeous Italian silk drapes that have unfortunately fell victim to these pests. Is there any safe method to removing the droppings without having to send them out?

the drapes out for cleaning? 

Hi Candance – Long-time textile conservator with lots of experience with silk drapes. A few more questions for you first. 

From your image, it appears to be flyspecks. Of course, if the drapes were a dark colour, the flyspecks would not have the visual impact that they do on the lighter colour drapes. Where are the flyspecks located on the drape? How many drape panels have flyspecks? How many drape panels are there? What are the measurements for a panel? How old are the silk drapes?

Also from your image, it appears that attached to the silk drape is an semi-elaborate trimming at the hem/side(s) (how many sides?) – are all of the components of the trimming also all made from fibre media (i.e. no wood cores; no cardboard cores; no metallic looking threads/wires)? How is the trimming attached to the drape panel (i.e. hand sewn on; trimming heading sewn in to a seam; etc.)? How are the drapes lined and interlined (i.e. fibre content(s) and weave type of each)?  How are each panel hung up (i.e. method of attachment)? 

Alas, you are correct in realizing that one of your year-long battles will be with insects!

I am the newest Curator (In self training) of a small historic home museum, and I've quickly learned my battle with insects inside the home will definitely be year round. One room has $50k worth of gorgeous Italian silk drapes that have unfortunately fell victim to these pests. Is there any safe method to removing the droppings without having to send them out?

the drapes out for cleaning?