Soft
plastic baggies are not recommended by their manufacturers for the
storage of heirlooms and collectibles.
Plastic
baggies seal in condensation leading to possible mold and
mildew damage.
Plastic
baggies can contain acids which lead to further
deterioration. Serious collectors and photographers do not
rely on Low or High Density PE zipper baggies for anything but
short term protection.
Food-safe
does not mean collectible-safe! For instance, Saran, which
is used in most food baggies and wraps contains PVCd, a form of
PVC which outgasses - causes the bags to become brittle and
deteriorate.
Low
Density Polyethylene (the material most zipper baggies are made
of) offers very poor protection against odor. LDPE has a very high
(for polymer films) gaseous transmission rate.
Q.
How about open display shelves?
A.
If items are inspected and gently dusted on a regular basis - this
may - depending upon the items, of course - be just
fine.
Be
aware, however, that airborne oils and acids can cause damage
and they increase the 'holding' power of dust. Dust, over
time, will actually shred the fibers of fabrics in your
collection. Doll clothes and teddy bear fabric (any fabric or
paper collectible) will eventually show deterioration. Be certain
wooden shelves are sealed with an inert sealant - all woods are
acidic and contain lignins. You may also line shelves with
archival mat board or glass. Avoid displaying near kitchens
(airborne oils and chemicals) and in direct or bright
sunlight.
Q.
Are cedar chests safe?
A.
Cedar wood is highly aromatic. The aroma we find so pleasing is
very offensive to the clothes moth - which is good. The problem is
that the scent is carried by acidic oils in the wood. For
that reason, items placed in a cedar chest for storage should
always be first wrapped in acid free tissue or
triple-washed cotton muslin. The tissue provides a buffer -
protecting the wrapped item from direct contact with the wood and
possible harmful effects of acid migration and from staining and
discoloration. Items should be aired periodically and refolded to
reduce stress on seams.
Q.
My childrens' baby clothes and assorted small mementos from their
infant days are in storage boxes in our attic - how can I better
store them?
A.
First of all, remove them from the attic! The attic, the basement
and the garage are the most undesirable areas of your home
for storage of keepsakes and other valuables. Not only are these
areas much more likely to have insects or rodents in residence (or
even just "passing through") - they are also generally not
climate-controlled as are the main areas of your home. Temperature
swings easily cause condensation within storage containers. Bring
your boxes into the main area of your home and keep them on a
shelf in a closet with no exterior walls (temp swings again) or
under a bed in a bedroom. The box itself may or may not be ok -
depending on it's composition. Archival board boxes are, of
course, fine. They tend to be extremely expensive, though. Storage
boxes made by Sterilite® and Rubbermaid® are made of
high-density polypropylene, which is completely inert and thus
safe for storage. Conservators use them. Wrap the items (and
lightly stuff little sleeves, etc.) with buffered or nonbuffered
acid and lignin free tissue (see product descriptions when
ordering to determine which). Depending on where you live, you
might want to include silica gel desiccant and/or an herbal insect
repellent. It is important to inspect the items visually at least
once a year - and gently refold in the tissue. The inspection
gives early warning of any developing problems and the refolding
along different lines equalizes stress on seams and prevents
crease lines. We do offer archival board boxes as a special order
item - $35.00 plus UPS shipping cost.
Q.
How much acid free tissue (and what kind) do I need to store my
wedding gown?
A.
If your gown is a synthetic or a cotton-synthetic blend (as are
most modern gowns) - use buffered tissue paper. If the gown has
any real silk or wool, use nonbuffered. You will need 3 to 4
packages depending upon the fullness of your skirt and the length
of train. Follow the guidelines which will be included with your
order for how to store away and how to determine where to best
store in your home. Our Wedding Gown Preservation Pack has very
clear instructions and some nice extras.
Q.
How can I safely store large textiles?
A.
Either fold to center - using acid free tissue to interleave - or
roll onto a tissue-wrapped tube. You may be able to get a tube at
your local fabric store (used for drapery and upholstery fabric) -
any composition is fine - as long as you wrap a few layers of
tissue on first and then interleave with the tissue as you roll.
Store folded textiles in a large Sterilite® or Rubbermaid®
box - lay tubes on a tissue-lined shelf in a well-ventilated area
- follow inspection and refolding (or rolling) guidelines
above.
These
guidelines (and more) are included in the reprint, "Caring for
Keepsakes and Collectibles" that will ship with your order.