Refreshed and Clean

If you’ve ever wondered how delicate garments from decades past are safely cleaned, the answer is: very carefully! Not all textiles are cleaned the same way. Each piece is cleaned one at a time because historic textiles are so delicate and require their own method depending on age, fabric type, condition, and construction. 

This week, we watched our newest volunteer, Stephanie, bring pieces of history back to life through the careful cleaning of two lovely vintage boys' sailor suits. To begin, she mixed cold water with Orvus paste, stirring until it dissolved. She then slowly lowered the garment into the mixture and left it to soak for 30 minutes, allowing decades of dust to loosen without harming the fibers. After the first soak, she used gentle, open-palmed motions to move the suit up and down in the water without wringing, twisting, or squeezing. The piece was soaked again for another 30 minutes, giving the solution time to work its quiet wonders. Once fully cleaned, she lifted the garment out, supporting its weight with both hands underneath and letting the water drip into the tub.

A cool rinse, a sun drying session, and a whole lot of patience later, these beautiful clothing pieces are ready to shine once more in our Children’s Exhibit. Stop by and see these freshly restored treasures on display!