Good afternoon, MuseumLers - As a textile/costume conservator with a textile
science background, I do not have an issue either with a bit of polyester in
the sheets (up to 40%). The polyester/cotton is usually blended together as
a fibre in to the thread that is used for the warp and weft. In fact, it is
a good idea for those situations where the relative humidity is not well
controlled (ie most historic houses). You do not want to use sheets that
have a perma-press/no iron finish on them as those finishes are formaldehyde
based and do not age well. The smoothness of the weave of the sheet is
important as you do  not want a rough texture imprinting on your artifact -
so usually I recommend at least a 400 thread count if it is a plain weave
sheet. Satin or sateen weave sheets are very useable too. White sheets = no
potential dyes/pigments bleeding or crocking to worry about. White also lets
you use the shrouds/ coverings as the "canaries" because the markings due to
"grubby paws", placed on an unwiped dusty table and "dragged on the floor",
etc. show up so nicely in contrast.  

Please feel free to contact me off-line if you need further clarification or
have additional questions.
Regards,  
Meg     
.   _  _  _  _  _  _  _   _ _   ___________     
Margaret E. Geiss-Mooney     
Textile/Costume Conservator &    
Collections Management Consultant       
Professional Associate - AIC     
707-763-8694     
[log in to unmask]    

..As a conservator I have no issue with a bit of polyester in the  
sheets.  I'm more concerned that the sheets are colourfast (i.e., that  
they colour does not run when they get wet) & that you wash all of the  
bleach out of the sheets....

>...Why is a little polyester not good for garments?...
>
>... Be very careful that any sheets you get are 100% cotton. Most sheets
> these days have some polyester in the blend which is not good for your
> garments....

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