Brightening white linen
New ways of cleaning white table linen
There are more than 3,500 white linen objects in the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Many of them have conspicuous discolourations and stains. White table linen was a status symbol, which is why it was washed after use, and often bleached as well. In the course of this research various cleaning methods will be selected and compared.
About the project
Textiles in museum collections are usually washed in a basin with water heated to a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius and a pH neutral detergent. In many cases this method does not produce the desired result. Subsequent treatment of stains can cause damage and is very time-consuming. An inventory was therefore made of the methods used by textile conservators nationally and globally. Together with Ecolab we will endeavour to find a cleaning method that yields optimum results without damaging the objects.
Aim of the project
The desired result of the research will be a safe and economical way of cleaning white table linen, producing optimal results. Commercial detergents and cleaning methods that are used for hospital and hotel linen will also be investigated, jointly with Ecolab. The first sample trials have already been carried out.
Staff
Suzan Meijer
Head of Textile Conservation
s.meijer@rijksmuseum.nl
Carola Holz
Textile Conservator
c.holz@rijksmuseum.nl
Bennie Douma
Senior Application & Training Manager, Textile Care Division, Europe
Collaboration
For this project we work together with Ecolab.