I do not belong to the list, but I really need some help and hope your discussion list can provide some insight. I am doing research on the drycleaning of wedding gowns (new and historical). This is a big trend with the general public now and I am getting calls all the time asking for advice about the subject. In doing research, I have run into some brick walls and I need experienced conservators' opinions and information from anyone who has done tests relating to this subject. Specifically, I am interested in knowing whether any of the solvents used (perchlorethylene, petroleum, and water-based) are ok for new dresses. If not, why not? Are there any solvents that are ok to use? Often, "wedding gown specialists" claim to have an anti-sugar stain treatment. No one could tell me what these are as they are proprietary. Does anyone know what they are, how they work, and whether or not they are ok to use on textiles? Has anyone ever heard of DuPont Clysar plastic? Is it inert? One "wedding gown specialist" described encapsulating the gown in Clysar, heating it to 300F in a heat shrink tunnel, then punching holes and pulling the air and moisture out, replacing it with a "clean, dry preserving gas." This doesn't sound good to me (but I am not a conservator by training). Any thoughts?
Are there any broad rules about drycleaning I can pass on? (I realize drycleaning is generally a big no-no, but it is difficult to tell all the women getting married this summer that they cannot do any drycleaning at all). If everyone is of the opinion that no gown should ever go to any drycleaner, then what advice do I give to people who have stains on their gowns prior to storage (and what about hidden stains)?
Thanks in advance for your help.You can email me answers at kiersten.latham@xxxxxxxxxx
Kiersten F. Latham
Curator or Collections & Research
Smoky Hill Museum
Salina, KS 67401