Caring for Textiles

Caring for Textiles
Source: American Institute for Conservation (AIC)

Textiles can be simple in structure and composition or can be part of complex composite objects that incorporate other materials like paper, leather, glass, metals, paint, stone, horn, bone, shell and feathers.Most textiles, at some time in their history, have served as functional objects. This history of use, along with environmental and handling factors, can affect a textile’s condition, resulting in the need for special care to ensure its long-term preservation. Making careful and informed decisions regarding the handling, display, and storage of a textile can make the difference between a short life span and a textile’s preservation for future generations.