We were in West Hollywood yesterday, picking up dry cleaning and stumbled on some information about archiving textiles. While this is not the most exciting news, we do run across this issue occasionally-- boxing up wedding gowns and children's clothes for organizing clients.
Designed to last 200-years, my local dry cleaner is now using archival-quality boxes and tissue paper just like museums, overseen by Federal and State governments for the preservation of historical costumes, and by libraries for the preservation of rare books and magazines. You are familiar with this material already because archival board is used for the backing in framing pictures.
Once your gown has been preserved, it's up to you to incorporate these tasks into your datebook:
- Every 2-3 years open the box and inspect the gown;
- Wash your hands with baking soda mixed with warm water prior to touching the garment;
- Examine each layer, box, tissue, fabric;
- If you see spots or discolorations, contact your cleaner;
- It is not necessary to remove the garment for initial inspections. Examine top layer of the gown, and in-between a few folds;
- Wash the cotton liner and cover every 10-15 years;
- After initial washing, rewash every 20 years.
- Tissue should be replaced every 25-30 years.
A quick check on Microsoft Outlook does prove that you can make a to-do task in 30 years. So there's no way you'll miss it.
Image courtesy Cat and Adi at Next Exit Photography. Christina and Kevin's wedding ceremony at La Venta in Palos Verdes, Calif.
