Textiles
How should I take care of an embroidered christening robe made of fine cotton? It’s a bit yellow. It’s about 80-90 years old.
It’s quite common for organic materials to yellow with age. The molecular chains become shorter and that’s what causes the yellowing. It will be possible to wash the robe by hand using an additive-free cleaning agent. But if the robe isn’t dirty, don’t wash it.
Get some thin white cotton fabric that’s gone through at least a 60°C cycle in the washing machine and use it to pack up the robe, making as few folds as possible. Light is very damaging for both textiles and paper, and it will be best to store the robe in a dark place with minimal fluctuations in temperature.
Kind regards from the textile conservators
- I have a thin cotton blouse, an heirloom belonging to my partner. It’s about 100 years old. How should I wash/store/iron it?
- I have a silk bridal shawl from 1890s. How can I remove grease/finger marks? Is it important to clean it? How should I store it?
- What is the best way to take care of a 1940s silk wedding dress that has some rust marks? Can it/should it be cleaned?
- Can I paint on wool? If so, what should I add to tempera in order to preserve the wool?
- How should I take care of an embroidered christening robe made of fine cotton? It’s a bit yellow. It’s about 80-90 years old.
- How should I take care of a silver fox stole from the late 1940s?