Paul, this is excellent advice.
Many thanks for posting.
Many thanks for posting.
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Here is a link to a flyer for US National Museum employees and curators on dry cleaning and cleaning- It basically says what has been said already. When garments are sound and the cleaner kknows what they are doing it is a safe method and will help to preserve clothing.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...RM1srI4lsTMxJgComment
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Hi Paul ! Thank you very much for your advices, I start to buy expensive tunics and I was scared about destroying them by washing them or by the way I use to preserve them.
This topic and the others you're writing are very useful !
I just have a request. Can you post a picture of the ORVUS soap box? Because I've tried to find it in France and the only thing I've found named ORVUS by Proctor & Gamble is a detergent used to clean cattle and horses.
Thank you very much !
YannickComment
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Yannick Thanks. My museum colleagues and I have been using this stuff for years. It's some safe for just about anything even a baby's bottom. Yes! It is great to remove manure on various animal legs like horse’s, sheep etc. I have hand washed old wedding dress made with an old style lead fabric additive for a museum that was very fragile it turned out great. here are some USA sources. Some companies re bottle the Orvis and us another name.
http://www.beval.com/products/Orvus-Paste-Soap/6066001.aspx
http://auburnpet.com/orvus-soap-paste-shampoo.aspx
http://www.annaboveembroidery.com/orvus-quilt-soap.htmlComment
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Thank you very much !
I'm going to try it as soon as possible !
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Keep in mind that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a skin irritant, or can be for individuals with sensitive skin, so you might want to use rubber gloves if you decide to use it.
Interestingly, it can also function as a shark repellant, so if you ever fall into shark infested waters while wearing a washed III. Reich tunic, you'll probably be safe.
I couldn't find any information as to whether or not it repels sharky dealers, but it might be worth a try at the next big show!
ErichLast edited by Erich Benndorff; 09-09-2010, 06:27 PM.Festina lente!Comment
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Oops, double post.
ErichFestina lente!Comment
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My opinion only...but one of the things I look for in an original cloth item, uniform, cap etc, is a natural 60-70 year patina. Washing destroys that. Patina is really just a fancy word for dirt in many cases, but it just gives original cloth items "the look". Check out the recent threads on out of the woodwork high end original uniforms and you will see what I mean. IMO cleaning any of this stuff destroys a portion of its history. To me, these items are SUPPOSED to look old...thats the point. I've never bought the preservation aspect of cleaning either. My 2 cents.Comment
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This has been a topic of debate for some time now in the world of conservation. Yes, I agree that patina on tunic is kind a like been there in the thick of things look. However heavily soiled tunic can be bad for fabric in the long run. Soil from the battlefield, body oils, sweat, rain, can lay the tunic fibers down flat thus compacting it and putting stress on the stitching and over all garment seams as well. Just body oils, and sweat can and will cause a lot of problems to fabric and very thin sewing threads.
Not allowing the soiled fabric to breathe. Add to the mix a magnet to attract insects and other things. Orvis is a fairly natural soap product. This is IMHO an alternative to dry cleaning whether it’s the green dry cleaning or traditional dry cleaning.
Of course these are your treasures do as you see fit.Comment
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I have seen people fake a 60-70 year patina and wear/staining in an hour plus dry time. The best way to discern what is real are the fabrics and construction. With the money involved now all the patina and aging bases are covered especially for higher end items. Faking has become a science.
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