Conservation

Conservation is concerned with maintaining the integrity of the object by stabilizing weak areas and slowing further degradation. There are several different ways to do this. In order to slow further degradation foreign objects that are harmful should be removed. This includes acidic storage containers (such as cardboard boxes, or paper), tapes or other adhesives, tacks, nails, pins, or even former repairs. Cleaning can also help to slow degradation. Even when cleaning doesn't visually improve an object, it does remove the acidity in the object. Depending on the object, cleaning may consist of one or more of the following:

  1. Carefully vacuuming a piece with a variable speed controlled vacuum.
  2. Wet cleaning with special soaps and filtered water.
  3. Spot cleaning with solvents, and/or a suction table.

Slowing degradation also includes providing a stable storage or exhibit environment. These methods will be explained under preservation and exhibition.

Stabilization is also included in conservation. Stabilization can be done in several different ways. Depending on the needs of the object, different hand stitches (such as, invisible stitch, whip stitch, couching stitch, etc.) can be used to do one of more of the following:

  1. Stitch a backing fabric under weak areas.
  2. Stitch a sheer support fabric on top or around areas of weakness.
  3. Tighten loose areas.
  4. Close slits or holes.
  5. Fill in areas of loss with matching fabric.
  6. Etc.