Conservation and preservation program (for rugs, carpets and textiles)
Shaneybrook's recommends planning a program of a regular maintainance service and/or repair schedule to keep your rugs, carpets, and textiles in good condition, maintain their apperance and their value. Some unexpected service matters can not be planned for but a simple service plan can significantly lower long term costs and prevent the need for expensive major restoration projects. With just a little planning, you can increase the longevity of your items, protect your investment, and enjoy your items with the confience that your item(s) are being properly cared for.
A planned conservation and preservation program is completely free. It only requires a little time and thought. Below, you will learn more about the different concerns most common to rugs, carpets and textiles. These concerns and care issues will help you determine the best plan for your needs. It is recommended that you review your program with a conservator to ensure the best care for your item, though much of the planning can be done with the information found throughout this site.
Many of our clients (both private and institutions) make arrangements to have their item(s) service every one to three years. Each item requires is own unique plan, so it is best to consult with a conservator regarding your individual needs. Our conservation team is available for free planning assistance by email or phone (see sidebare on right for contact info).
Conservation planning (for rugs, carpets and textiles)- Regular cleaning
- Fringes, seams, sides, and ends (for rugs and carpets)
- Proper padding and vacuuming (for rugs and carpets)
- Spot cleaning, stains and big unplanned problems (for rugs and carpets)
Conservation planning (for rugs, carpets and textiles).
Most information provided provided by the AIC
Since prehistoric times, textiles have played a rich part in the lives and traditions of people of all cultures. They have been constructed using myriad materials and techniques, and they have been made from natural fibers such as cotton, flax, silk or wool or from man-made fibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyester. Textiles can be simple in structure and composition, or they can be composite objects incorporating many materials like quills, beads, metals, paints, bones, shells, feathers, and leathers.
Contemporary household furnishings, clothing, many fashion accessories, and even fragmented archeological finds may all be classified as textiles. Pieces such as rugs, carpets, coverlets, quilts, and tapestries have been treasured for their artistic, technical, cultural, or sentimental value.
Most textiles have served as functional objects. This use, compounded by environmental factors, affects an object's condition and often results in the need for special care. Decisions on the daily usage, handling, display, and storage of textiles can make the difference between a short life span or survival for generations.
Our conservation team can help guide you to learn how often is recommended and whether your item is best on a short or long term plans to best care for your item(s). Our conservation team is available for free planning assistance by email (preferred) or by phone (see sidebare on right for contact info).
- Environmental factors: light, humidity/dryness, temperature, pollution and airborne soils
- Housing: utilitarian, framing, displaying, storage
- Housekeeping
- Handling
- Disasters
- When to Contact a Conservator
Points of concern:
Environmental factors: light, humidity/dryness, temperature, pollution and airborne soils
The deterioration of textiles is largely chemical in nature. The specific factors affecting degradation are light, temperature and relative humidity, dust, and pollutants. These factors will be discussed as separate topics, but it is important to remember that they function together and frequently have synergistic effects.
Light:
Light is a form of energy that can fade color and cause chemical and physical degradation of textile fibers. Fabrics and finishes, such as starches, may also turn yellow as a result of chemical breakdown. Both natural and artificial light sources can cause this photochemical degradation. The effect is cumulative and irreversible. The rate of deterioration is determined by the level of illumination and the duration of exposure. Limiting both factors will reduce damage. Rotating a collection--displaying textiles for short periods at low light levels--is recommended.
Temperature and Relative Humidity:
Higher temperatures accelerate the rate of chemical reactions, speeding up the degradation of fibers, dyes, and contaminants. Therefore, textiles should not be displayed near direct sources of heat such as fireplaces, spotlights, and windows. They also should not be stored in areas inclined to high temperature, such as attics.
Humidity & Dryness:
Relative humidity is a measure of the moisture in the air. Because all organic materials contain moisture, fluctuations in temperature and the resulting changes in relative humidity will cause objects to expand and contract. Over time, continuing dimensional changes will result in permanent damage to both organic and inorganic substances. This phenomenon is compounded in textiles made of disparate materials. A painted silk banner, for example, can be adversely affected when the silk shrinks or swells, causing the paint (which does not as readily absorb moisture) to crack and flake. Other problems associated with high relative humidity are bleeding dyes and corroding metals. Relative humidity should be kept as constant as possible between 35% and 70%, avoiding desiccation of textiles at the lower end and blooming of mold growths at the upper.
Pollution and Airborne Soils:
Smog, car exhaust, and ozone are pollutants that cause chemical degradation of objects. Textiles are also subject to physical abrasion and damage by dust and gritty particles. These particles in combination with air pollutants may accelerate the rate of chemical reactions. Household cleaners, particularly those containing chlorine, bleach, and ammonia, are also sources of chemical pollution.
Housing: Utilitarian, Framing, Display and Storage:
Utilitarian items are those that are currently in use. These items tend to suffer far more than others due to normal wear-and-tear. These items most often require very regular care (cleaning and maintainance).
The materials used in exhibition cases, frames, or storage units must be carefully selected to ensure environmental stability. Wood, cardboard, and many plastics and metals are considered unsatisfactory because they emit volatile acids or chemicals. If these materials are the only ones available, place a barrier of stable material, such as heavy-duty aluminum foil, between the object and the support. Cotton sheets also provide protection for pieces in storage, but they need to be washed periodically since they will absorb any volatile emissions. Avoid tightly sealed cases, plastic bags, or frames, since they can trap damaging vapors and provide an environment associated with high humidity problems.
Archival materials, such as barrier films, acid-free unbuffered board, rolling tubes, and storage boxes, are available through most conservation supply catalogues. Contact your local museum for sources near you.
Textiles should be displayed and stored in clean areas that are routinely and adequately maintained. Good housekeeping will reduce damage caused by insects, rodents, and microorganism such as molds and fungi. Signs of infestation include small, irregularly shaped holes, the presence of casings, and excrement. Other indications of housing problems include an increase in discoloration, the tarnishing of metal, and a sweet, musty odor. Inspect your collections every six months to identify any problems early.
Vacuuming is the primary means of cleaning textiles. It is effective in removing dust and other physical contaminants and discourages insects and molds as well. Vacuuming is object-specific. For many fragile or three-dimensional textiles, dusting the piece with a soft brush directly into the nozzle of a vacuum may be recommended. For large or sturdy textiles, vacuuming with an up and down motion (lifting, not dragging, the nozzle) through a sheet of flexible plastic screening may be suggested. Contact a professional conservator to discuss the preferred technique. Not all pieces can be readily vacuumed, and not all vacuums are appropriate conservation tools.
Along with housekeeping, proper handling is important. Textiles are frequently more fragile than they first appear. Before attempting to move a piece, familiarize yourself with its weak areas. Support textiles in a manner that distributes the weight evenly. A delicate embroidery, for example, may be supported by sliding a piece of paper or cardboard underneath, while heavier pieces such as carpets and tapestries may be rolled on a carpet tube or carried in a fabric sling.
Clean hands (or white cotton gloves) are also important when handling textiles, as skin contains oils, perspiration, and, often, skin creams that are readily absorbed by fibers, causing stains. Use inexpensive white cotton gloves, which are available through photographic and conservation supply stores. Remove any dangling jewelry or fashion accessories that could snag the textile.
The two most common forms of disaster damage are those caused by water and fire. Prompt attention to textiles following a disaster will greatly reduce any permanent damage.
In the case of wet objects, remember that most textiles become weaker when wet and will need supports for transport. If handling is possible, separate whites from darks to reduce the risk of dye transfer. Rinse any silt or debris off with clean, cool water. Then blot the textiles carefully with absorbent toweling to remove as much moisture as possible. Lay them flat to dry, covered with clean, thin, cotton sheets in a room with good air circulation.
If there are too many pieces to dry immediately, contact a local conservator. It may be possible to freeze the textiles (to prevent mold growth) until they can be examined and dried. If pieces are already dry, soil may be removed with a soft brush.
In the case of fire, soot and smoke damage need to be addressed. Remove particulate matter as described above, and call a conservator. Do not permit the use of ozone to remove smoky odors. It will accelerate the aging and degradation of the textile.
When to Contact a Conservator:
Are you considering sending your rugs or carpets in for cleaning? Is the quilt you inherited from your great grand-mother smelling a bit old and moldy?
Before sending your item to the wrong place or attempting to repair, clean, or mount a textile yourself, contact our conservation team or a professional textile conservator in your area. A conservator or team will examine the item(s), determine the fiber composition, weave structure, and document its condition and any inherent problems. Taking into account the client's concerns and any relevant historical information, a treatment option will be proposed.
Questions to consider when determining a course of action include:
- Is it time for a maintance service (such as cleaning)?
- Is service in the best interest of the item?
- Is treatment necessary, or is it based on popular aesthetics?
- Is the object strong enough to be used or displayed?
- Do the risks of services/treatment outweigh the benefits?
- What service/treatment provides the most and best results with the least intervention?
A little planning and consultation with a proper conservator will help ensure that you can enjoy your objects for years to come.
For information on selecting a conservator, please visit the Conservation and Preservation section of our website.
To contact our conservation team, please email (preferred) or by phone (see sidebare on right for contact info). For assistance locating a conservator, please contact a local museum in your area or contact the AIC.
Regular cleaning.
The most common of all service needs is regular cleaning which helps maintain the rugs appearance and keeps the item from dry-rotting. Regular cleaning does not take away from an item. In fact, it is the lack of proper cleaning that most often leads to detereoration.
Our conservation team can help guide you to learn how often is recommended and whether your item is best on a short or long term plan. Our conservation team is available for free planning assistance by email or phone (see sidebare on right for contact info).
Once an appropriate short or long term plan is best for your item(s), it would be good to make the calander and keep a written log of your individual service plans and what service work is conducted when.
These extremely simple suggestions can keep your item supple and free dry-rot and damaging deteoration caused by dirt and environmental conditions (such as heating).
Fringes, seams, sides, and ends (for rugs and carpets)
Proper care and planning of care services demands a constant eye to monitor use and wear to an item. An essential part of the conservation planning process is regular inspection of your item(s). The standard recommendation is for every six months, though you may feel it necessary to check your item(s) more frequently.
The most common of maintainance issues are fringes, seams, sides and ends. These tend to be the most abused portions of items. Handling of textiles often occurs most on sides, ends and corners. These are also the areas most commonly attacked by insects and other pests. Plan to inspect the front and back of an item in these areas regularly. Watch for small and irregularly shaped holes, loose treads (in the most touched or used areas), flaking of materials, breaking, tearing or freying of any kind.
When monitoring your rugs and carpets, keep a constant eye on condition and wear to fringes and salvages. Fringes are designed to be decorative as well as taking the brunt of wear away from the edge of a rug or carpet. Keeping fringes in good condition can save hundred to thousands of dollars of overcasting, reconstruction and reweaving of damaged areas or freyed ends.
Similarly, sides of rugs and carpets also receive a tremendous amount of abuse. Monitor the sides of the rug for any loose thread(s), fraying, or loss of material. The sooner this type of damage can be detected the better. Minor repairs or stabilization of an area can significantly save more serious repair costs as well as help to prevent loss of value to your item(s) .
While keeping an eye on the sides and ends, watch for fading or shading of areas in walkways (traffic areas). Turning the rug in a room regularly will spead the normal wear and tear over a larger footprint. This should also lower the amout of wear and tear common to areas near entry and exit points of a room (further limiting damage to fringes, seams, sides, and ends.
For items with seams (such as wilton rugs, axminister carpets, and ingrain carpets), regular inspection is also required. When checking seams, never create a hard fold or crease as this will likely damage the item itself or the seam. Glued seams will often fall apart with time as the glue detereorates. Glue of any kind is NEVER recommended for any repair (seam or otherwise). Hand or machine sown seams require attention to the seam threads. Check regularly for weakness or breakage. Check also for wear of seams and adjacent areas of the rug, carpet, or textile.
Rough fringes are a constant maintainance problem.
Frayed ends cause loss of structure & aesthetics.
Seams have been known to break.
Most of the concerns listed above are considered regular maintainance issues and should never come as a "surprise". Prevention of loss or damage through simple monitoring, as well as establishing a longterm care and maintance plan will help to ensure the longevity and value of your item(s).
Proper padding and vacuuming (for rugs and carpets)
Planning for regular vacuuming should be a concern for the everyday care of your rugs or carpets. Vacuuming helps remove surface dirt and loose grit that has settled in the pile or surface of a rug, carpet or textile. Regularly vacuuming is essential for the long term health of your item(s). Vacuuming helps to prevent dry-rot, reduces dirt that causes odors, and helps protect the fibres from breakage and loss caused by the grinding of grit against the fibres that make up the weave and pile.
The right vacuum and schedule will depend greatly on the type, weave, and age of your rug, as well as condition, type of dirt (including type of heating) and w whether you have children and pets. Most of these matters are best determined after a thorough hand-cleaning by a conservator team like Shaneybrooks. Thorough hand-cleaning reveals many of the normally unseen cleanliness issues and can help direct future daily, weekly, or monthly care recommendations.
Selection of a proper pad is also a concern for some planning. Your planning should take into acocunt whether you currently use padding, what padding is best suited to the longevity of your rug or carpet and how often the padding should be cleaned or replaced. Many of the rug pads available on today's market are intended solely for synthetic products with latex or plastic backings. Natural fibre rugs and carpets are easily torn and damaged by the harsh surfaces of these pads. Waffle, mesh, or webbed paddings are to be avoided as they promote walking, buckles, and speed up wear.
Proper padding can be recommended for your individual rug or carpets needs. We most often suggest "rug anchor / rubber anchor" but this does not suit for every single need.
Please contact our conservator team or a local conservator for recommendations on the best vacuuming and padding options and care planning for your item(s).
Spot cleaning, stains and big unplanned problems (for rugs and carpets)
If you've ever accidentally spilled something on a rug or carpet, or tracked in something that stained the carpet, you well know the feeling of disappointment that resulted. Planning ahead for such an incident is incredibly important to the look and survival of your rug or carpet.
Planning ahead for such an incident is incredibly important to the look and survival of your rug or carpet.
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If you are currently in need or services or just a consultation on how to best care for your textile, rug or carpet, use our contact and support information to get in touch.