Stabilizing Wet Textiles and Clothing

Facts about Textiles

Textiles are composite objects. Different fibers will react differently to water.

• Cellulose (cotton, linen, rayon, cedar bark, etc.)
• Protein (wool, silk, horsehair, etc.)
• Embellishments (leather, ivory, mother of pearl, metal, etc.)

What to expect when textiles get wet

• Old textiles are fragile – and even more fragile when wet
• Textiles are not self-supporting – and are heavy when wet
• Colors may not be stable in water
• Mold growth is possible

Drying textiles

• Air dry
• Freeze to buy time if necessary
• Use carrying supports
• Blot off excess water
• Air dry in a single layer, or stuff out layers
• Ensure good overall support during drying
• Pad out shaped items (hats, shoes) to correct shape with absorbent materials
• If dyes from one part of a textile are bleeding onto other parts, cover with a cloth to draw dye out and away

Salvage priorities

• Fragile textiles
• Composite constructions
• Bleeding dyes
• Textiles with water-soluble, ivory, baleen, bone or iron components