Vacuuming Fabrics
This article originally appeared in Exchange,
a newsletter published by the Wisconsin Historical
Society.
(Volume 29, Number 2, Spring 1987) It is the 28th
in a series of articles titled Conservation Corner.
The series features information about maintaining
an adequate environment for the storage and exhibition
of historical collections, employing proper collection
care techniques, and recording and cataloging historical
collections. This article was written by Tom McKay,
retired local history coordinator for the Wisconsin
Historical Society.
It happens in the best of families — or historical societies.
Things get dusty. In a museum, that dust, which can damage
all artifacts, poses special hazards to historic fabrics.
Fine dust, that feels soft to the touch, actually contains tiny, sharp
particles. These particles work their way into fabrics and gradually
tear at the fibers. Airborne contaminants, such as ammonia and sulfur
dioxide, cling to dust particles and find their way into fabrics,
and dirt formed by deteriorating organic matter can be a source of
food for mold spores that land on fabrics. The dirt that clings to
a newly acquired dress or the dust that falls on a quilt during an
exhibition can speed deterioration of these historic objects.
Cleaning historic fabrics raises the possibility of a cure worse than the disease. Repeated washing will, itself, wear out fabrics. Many historic fabrics cannot be wet cleaned at all, and those that can often require the skill and experience of a trained professional to minimize the always present danger of damage from water washing. However, in many cases loose dust and dirt can be safely vacuumed from historic fabrics with a surprising amount of benefit.
Vacuuming a historic fabric requires a clean, flat work table with
a smooth surface, a piece of fiberglass or plastic
window screen, and a cannister vacuum cleaner with
a wand that can be adjusted for reduced suction. The
fiberglass or plastic screen covers the fabric during
vacuuming to prevent pulling or twisting that would
damage the historic object. A piece of screen measuring
24x24 inches is an easy size to handle. The edges should
be covered with plastic tape doubled over the front
and back of the screen so that no adhesive is exposed.
This produces a smooth edge that will not catch the
fibers of the fabric during vacuuming.
The process of vacuuming requires two people. Place the fabric item on the work table so that it lays evenly and is completely supported from below. One person should position the screen on the fabric and hold it in place gently but securely with two hands. The other person adjusts the vacuum for minimum suction and runs the vacuum attachment lightly over the screen.
As with any process that involves handling historic artifacts, vacuuming demands caution. Inspect any fabric with beads or sequins. Such areas of the artifact must be in good condition and completely secure, or the process of cleaning could result in decorating the inside of a vacuum bag. The procedure described above is not safe for objects made of fur or feathers. Never use metal screen wire in this process, and do not attempt to vacuum fragile fabrics or items with significant rents or tears. Always inspect a historic fabric carefully before proceeding. If its condition is sound, cautious vacuuming may help extend the artifact's life by removing abrasive, damaging particles of loose dirt.
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