I’m not a textile conservator, so better recommendations may well be forthcoming from others.  This question came up recently in a collections care workshop I led and I found the following information, which may also be helpful for the uniforms in your collection:  Avoid the heat involved in ironing and steaming, as it will set stains and contribute to further deterioration.  However, a cool mist or dampening can be appropriate.   You might also want to discuss a humidification chamber with a conservator.  Check out this link and scroll down to section 1.7.1 to read about a technique that relates specifically to wrinkles.

 

http://www.conservation-wiki.com/index.php?title=TSG_Chapter_VI._Treatment_of_Textiles_-_Section_A._Humidification

 

Best regards,

Adrienne Berney

NC Connecting to Collections

 

Hi all,

 

We have a large collection of military uniforms and women’s fashions from as early as 1810 to 1970. The Society is getting preparted to mount a small display during our World War II Encampment event and I have prepared several uniforms for display. When I discovered several of these uniforms, they were rolled up and stuffed into file boxes within our collections storage areas. Is there any “museum” method to removing the wrinkles, other than steaming or the use of a conventional iron?

 

Thanks!

 

Michael Reuter

Curator of Collections/Registrar

Milwaukee County Historical Society

910 N. Old World 3rd St.

Milwaukee, WI 53203

414-273-8288