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Hi Jill
I forwarded your query to Helen Hughes, one of Glasgow Museums’ Textile Conservators, and this is her reply -
If it’s possible it’s better to humidify rather than steam. If the costume is steamed it should be cleaned first so that the steaming doesn’t set the soil/dust in place on the costume. We’ve got the bigger machines here, once you get used to them you don’t want to use a small machine. You do have to be very careful how you use them so as not to scald yourself, being meticulous in keeping your other hand below the steam head. I would also advise switch it off when not applying steam to costume. One other thing to watch out for is not trying to steam a piece in one go, with the larger reservoir the temptation is to keep going but, it is much more effective to steam, let it dry then steam again 3-4 times.
If Jill is able to try one out it would be worthwhile to do that or to test one on non-collection items and see how she feels using one.
Best wishes
Fiona
Fiona Hayes
Curator, Social History
Glasgow Life/Glasgow Museums
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
200 Woodhead Road
Glasgow
G53 7NN
0141 276 0786
www.glasgowlife.org.uk
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From: Social History Curators Group email list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jill Holmen
Sent: 08 November 2019 09:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: De-creasing costume collections
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Hi all,
I’m currently planning a big display of our costume collection early next year, and most of the garments are looking very crumpled. Our old steamer has finally died (after a good 20 years’ sterling service) and I’m trying to identify a replacement. I’m slightly thrown by the huge range available, but my real quandary is whether to go for a small, easily portable, handheld, domestic ‘travel-style’ steamer (a ‘like-for-like’ replacement) or should I splash out - pardon the pun – on a larger, more powerful steamer of the type used in the theatrical wardrobe or commercial retail field?
My main concerns are that the commercial variety may be too powerful & pose a potential risk to historic costume, and that their size & hose length might make them unwieldy to use in a tight space.
I’d be interested to hear how others have addressed this issue.
Regards
Jill Holmen
Collections Officer
Community, Culture & Wellbeing
Office: (01992) 564995 Mobile: 07789 372223
Epping Forest District Museum
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