The cleaning of degraded linen

Abstract

Discussions between the Textile Department at UMIST and the Textile Conservation Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum led to a research programme which studied the efficiency of four different cleaning systems for degraded linen, using objective colour measurement to assess soil removal and colour change, tensile testing to estimate changes in strength, image analysis to measure changes in fibre and yarn diameter and yarn spacing, and weight loss and Scanning Electron Microscopy to assess soil removal and fibre damage.In Part I of this paper the authors discuss the research methodology and present the results of the cleaning assessment. In the case of fabric A, which is heavily soiled, the cleaning efficiency correlates well with weight loss. Conversely for fabric B which is highly degraded the weight loss shows a negative correlation with cleaning efficiency.

Physical chemical studies of pigments of archaeological decorated textiles and the best methods of restoration and conservation them

“…However, some researchers in the past believed that the aqueous solutions reduces the strength of the fibers and increase their weakness, but in the same time they stress that the alternative systems using methyl alcohol (IMS), and other safe organic solvents given the less degree of cleaning, also until recently remained strongly believes that the addition of glycerine to the aqueous solutions used in cleaning linen fibers increases the strength and durability of fibers. However, (Cook, et al, 1996) demonstrated in a recent study that glycerine does not give any significant improvement in the durability and strength of fiber, but it may increase the effectiveness of washing to clean and remove certain types of stains 55 .…”