Tapestry, rug and blanket cleaning
tapestry is
defined as a heavy woven fabric with decorative design. The
designs are formed by interlacing warp and filling yarns of
contrasting colors in a base fabric. Some of the filling yarns
are selectively used so patterns and designs are formed.
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Real tapestries are usually made of wool
and sometimes silk. The drycleaning process is safer on these
tapestries than the steam cleaning process, which is only used
on some occasions.
The occasion may arise when the tapestry
has extensive wetside staining, dye bleeding and mildew
staining.
Accepting
Tapestries should be inspected for moth
damage, staining and bleeding. The backing should be inspected
for cracking and warping. The colors should be inspected for
fading and discolorations due to exposure to sunlight and
atmospheric gases.
Spotting
Avoid wetside spotting near colors as
bleeding is likely to occur. Initially the wet area may not
show bleeding but prolonged dampness of the fabric will promote
bleeding. If colored areas become wet or damp take the time to
air dry with the air gun.
Protein formulas and ammonia are more
hazardous to the colors than acid-based spotting chemicals. For
soiled areas use moisture-free prespotting agents.
If oily type paint remover is used,
remember to clean the fabric as soon as possible. When oily
type paint remover stays in the fabric for an extended period
of time, it picks up moisture from the atmosphere and
discoloration of the fabric can occur.
Drycleaning
Before drycleaning, use a hand vacuum to
remove much of the top soil, which could promote redeposition
of soil. Dryclean in a moisture-free load with proper soap
addition. Improper amounts of cationic injection soaps with a
high moisture content can be detrimental to the fabric and
colors.
I usually prefer to clean these fabrics
with a high concentration of a charged soap followed by a clear
rinse. The clear rinse never completely remove all the soap
which gave the fabric a better texture.
Cleaners who attempted to clean these
fabrics usually resulted in a damaged tapestry. Drycleaning
without soap can result in redeposition of soil and a harsh
hand and feel not suitable for wool.
Problem correction
Steam extraction cleaning. Steam cleaning of tapestries should be done
under strict supervision. I only allowed people to steam
clean tapestries if I knew them and knew the quality of their
work. Fortunately through the years of teaching, I knew many
reliable people capable of steam cleaning a tapestry.
Steam cleaning was used on tapestries with
extensive wetside staining, mildew and dye bleeding. The
wetside lubricants that were suitable had to be a neutral pH. I
usually tested the pH myself since alkaline based lubricants
can not only bleed dyes but, if left in a fabric, can cause the
fabric to yellow.
The amount of water contacting the fabric
in steam cleaning must be carefully controlled so the backing
fabric does not get wet.
If a correction of a brittle and stiff
backing is to be performed, the backing must be coated with a
hydrocarbon solvent and mineral oil mixture. Dye bleeding
correction should be done using titanium sulphate applied with
a q-tip.
Finishing
Do not over-steam the tapestry or
shrinkage of the backing fabric will occur. I found that
pre-heating the head of the press and then bringing the head
down on the fabric, followed by vacuuming, was sufficient to
obtain a proper finish.
Rugs
South American rugs and Navajo rugs are
relatively easy to handle. Many people collect these rugs and
seek cleaners who are qualified to handle them.
The rugs are best handled in both
drycleaning and wetcleaning processes. Dryside prespotting is
safe and normal drycleaning cycles can be used except when the
rugs are fragile.
There are many protein based-stains on
rugs, which makes wetcleaning an essential part of processing.
After much experimentation, I found that the best product
to remove the staining is a low temperature enzyme bath. Soak
rug in an enzyme bath (110°F) with salt as a dye setter.
Although the water may show bleeding it
usually will not transfer to other areas as long as you move
the fabric around and change the water when contaminated.
Rinse the fabric and add a little
non-ionic or cationic softening agent to the rinse water. When
dry, press in a normal manner.
Caution: Do
not cover container when soaking or wetcleaning because
bleeding of the fabric will occur. The container for
wetcleaning must be an open container exposed to the air.
Navajo blankets
Navajo blankets are similar to rugs in
appearance, but the value of a blanket is considerably higher
than a rug. Indians use blankets as a way of warming themselves
and it is inherent in their culture, while rugs were made for
the commercial market.
A Navajo blanket is quite rare. They were
made by Navajo women (rarely men) on hand looms. The dyes are
vegetable dyes and they use urine to set these dyes. They are
drycleanable and wetcleanable. They are handled the same as
Navajo rugs. Bleeding and transfer of dye can occur if the
blanket is wetcleaned, not thoroughly extracted and left wet
for a long period of time.
For general information: A long yarn used
at the end of a blanket symbolizes eternal life to the Navajo
people. Make sure that the yarn is intact as it maintains the
value of the blanket.
Dan Eisen recently retired as chief
garment analyst for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association after
33 years with that organization. He is available for seminars,
consultations and independent garment analysis. He also has
published a book, “The Art of Spotting,” which is
an indexed compilation of articles he wrote for National
Clothesline and NCA over the past three decades. He can be
reached at (772) 340-0909. His address is 274 NW Toscane Trail,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986. His e-mail address is cleandan@adelphia.net.
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