How you treat them depends on what materials they are made of. Silks
generally do not react well to water (it stains). They can sometimes be
steamed, but not always.  Cottons and  polyester can be carefully wet
cleaned with Orvis, but some older knits used for uniforms were wool (no
wet cleaning).  Silks could possibly be dry cleaned, a local textile
conservator would likely know a local cleaner that could be trusted.

Also, beware with steaming, sweat smells can be rejuvenated. It is not
pleasant.

and here are some URL's that might help:
http://www.hfmgv.org/explore/artifacts/textile.asp
http://www.textilemuseum.org/care/brochures/guidelines.htm
http://www.rap-arcc.org/welcome/tcw.htm
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/genpub/


Elizabeth Walton
www.clotheslinejournal.com


Andy Dickes wrote:

>I work at a sports museum and we are opening up a new facility.  For
>years, a lot of our jerseys and boxing robes and trunks were just thrown
>in a box and are now wrinkled and a bit dirty. I dare not wash them, but
>perhaps vacumn them.  Is steaming the best way to go to de-wrinkle them
>for exhibition? If so, what particular type of steamer should I use?
>
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