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 quilts, tapestries, embroideries, flags, and christening gowns have been treasured for their artistic, technical, cultural, or sentimental value.
Contemporary household furnishings, clothing, many fashion accessories, and even fragmented archeological finds may all be classified as textiles. Pieces such as quilts, tapestries, embroideries, flags, and christening gowns have been treasured for their artistic, technical, cultural, or sentimental value.
Precautionary measures to take care textiles are-
Environmental Factors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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