Thanks for reminding people what they are dealing with.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret Geiss-Mooney" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 11:06 PM
Subject: Re: Baby Clothes Cleaning Caveats


> Please consult with a costume conservator first before doing anything!
> It may be too fragile to immerse in a water solution and could come
> apart as aged natural fibres are much weaker in water than when dry.
> Plus there was no mention of any coloured components that must be tested
> for fastness first. Please no exposure to sunlight! This museum artifact
> only has a certain amount of time - don't increase it's rate of
> deterioration by blasting it with sunlight (whoa! way more than the
> recommended 5 footcandles!). Please don't decrease or increase its pH by
> applying lemon juice or ammonia - remember that low and high pH are to
> be avoided because (start the chorus here) it increases the rate of
> deterioration also. Don't use Woolite - it contains perfumes that will
> be left behind which will (start the chorus again!) increase the rate of
> deterioration.
> To locate a costume conservator in your area, please contact the
> American Institute of Conservation for a free (yes, free!) referral
> (their website is http://aic.stanford.edu - click on Selecting A
> Conservator); phone (202)452-9545. And remember that the best course of
> action for this christening gown may be to take no action (except to
> handle, store and display it correctly).
> Meg Geiss-Mooney
> Costume/Textile Conservator
> Professional Associate, AIC
> Northern California
>
> Laura Pelton-Sweet wrote:
> >
> > I forgot - for that strange yellowed look that comes with age:
> >
> > This may be the result of the original owner using bluing to clean the
> > garment. To remove the yellow caused by bluing, lemon juice and salt
work
> > well. I'd mix either one with water and then apply to the garment. Rinse
> > well. If you feel comfortable sun-drying the dress (spread out flat) for
a
> > short period, that would help too.
> >
> > Laura
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Christine Dwyer <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 12:02 PM
> > Subject: Baby Clothes
> >
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > We have a baby's christening gown, circa 1850, made of cotton and
lace.
> > The
> > > cotton is quite thin and has yellowed.  Any suggestions on how to
clean
> > it?
> > > Many thanks.
> > >
> > >
> > > Christine M. Dwyer, Director
> > > Stanly County Museum
> > > & Historic Preservation Commission
> > > 245 East Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001 USA
> > > (704) 986-3777   (704) 986-3778 fax
> > > www.co.stanly.nc.us/Departments/Museum/index.htm
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > =========================================================
> > > Important Subscriber Information:
> > >
> > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
> > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
message
> > to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
"help"
> > (without the quotes).
> > >
> > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
to
> > [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
"Signoff
> > Museum-L" (without the quotes).
> > >
> >
> > =========================================================
> > Important Subscriber Information:
> >
> > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).
> >
> > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
"Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).