There are several professional conservation organizations that provide information on preventative and conservation.

Conservation Online:
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/

The Canadian Conservation Institute
http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/

There are also several publications:

Considerations for the care of textiles and costumes : a handbook for the non-specialist, author: Mailand, Harold F.

Preserving textiles : a guide for the nonspecialist, authors: Mailand, Harold F. and Alig, Dorothy Stites

If this is the result of mold spores, a thorough vacuuming and dehumidification of the object should prevent further growth. (See <http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/disasters/primer/npsmold.html>)

Jill



On Fri, 14 Mar 2003, Deb Fuller wrote:

> --- "Zickuhr, Kristine" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Does anyone have suggestions on how to safely remove the musty smell from
> > clothing/textiles?
>
> If the items are in decent shape, a mixture of vodka and water sprayed on them
> and let dry is great for removing smells from clothing. I'm not a big fan of
> Febreeze as I don't like the smell it leaves behind. Fresh-Again is another
> product like that that is used in theaters to get the smells out of costumes.
>
> And if your conservator won't freak, a good hang outside on a nice, sunny day
> works wonders.
>
> Lastly, you could put them in a garment bag with baking soda for a week or so
> and see if that works.
>
> Deb

>

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