Re: Viscose Rayon

["Ballard, Mary" <BallardM@xxxxxx>]

Perspiration stains can go acid or alkaline through time, most often alkaline. The AATCC technical manual has a test method (#15-2002 Colorfastness to Perspiration) that identifies the active ingredients in perspiration stains that affect dyes. I was able to remove a perspiration stain from a very sturdy cotton wedding dress (a heavy almost macramé crochet-type yarn) from the 1940's but that's pretty unusual. Often the fabric beneath the stain has been tendered. Treatment methods are described in Clothes Care by Moss (1967) and other standard stain removal handbooks. If stain removal interests you, a stain removal course through a drycleaner's association will provide you with standard methods, suppliers, and practice on new stains. Basic information on stain removal for casual interest is available at http://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/stains.html Best wishes,

Mary W. Ballard
Senior Textiles Conservator,
Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution
4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD 20746 U.S.A.
tel: 301-238-1210 fax: 301-238-3709 
email ballardm@xxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: Textile Conservators [mailto:TEXCONS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jennifer Barsby
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 8:34 AM
To: TEXCONS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Viscose Rayon

Dear Dis list subscribers,

I am in my final year of study on the RCA/V&A conservation course, specialising in textiles. For my research project/dissertation I am looking into the possibility of removing perspiration stains from Viscose Rayon clothing.

I am writing to you all to ask if anyone has experience of removing perspiration stains from any fabric or specifically viscose. If so what did you use?

Any responses, comments or suggestions will be gratefully received.

Thank you very much,

Kind regards Jennifer.


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