Cleaning B-18s?

[steve B]

I have a few B-18s I got recently that are a bit dusty/dirty from poor storage. Is there any good way to clean them? I'm not trying to get rid of stains or anything like that, just get rid of the attic grime.

Steve B

[Leon]

Originally Posted by steve B

I have a few B-18s I got recently that are a bit dusty/dirty from poor storage. Is there any good way to clean them? I'm not trying to get rid of stains or anything like that, just get rid of the attic grime.

Steve B

I just want to bump this for you Steve but I don't know the answer. I am not ptimistic about cleaning one myself. I have never tried to clean a felt or silk. I just leave them alone . I guess some kind of dry cloth and barely tapping the dirty spot(s) to get anything you can off, might work, albeit not much. I would be very careful not to pat it too hard or spread the grime/dirt. A conservator could have a go at it but it might not be worth the expense. Those are just a few thoughts to entertain. regards

One other thing came to mind too. If the stuff you are trying to get off came from sitting in the attic, and isn't too embedded, you might try applying some lightly pressured air, very gently, to the spots. That might knock off some loose particles and help.

[John V]

I've seen plenty of them faded and/or with colors that have bled. I don't think they react well with water.

[steve B]

Thanks guys!
Yes, two of the five are faded, and one has what looks like water damaged spots. I've seen others that looked bled or runny, so I also figured water was out. Plus I think they're wool, which would make water a bit more troublesome too.
I was more wondering if anyone had tried dry cleaning fluid or something of that nature.
I like Leons idea about the air. I'm thinking I might try a light vacuum on the faded ones to see if the dust comes out. I think I have a tiny computer vac around somewhere. The tobacco or maybe rust stains are there to stay. I wouldn't want to remove them anyway, as that's a bit too close to altering for me to be happy doing it.

None of them are nice enough to even consider a professional conservator.
Maisel green infield- faded
Shotton purple - faded
Tyler white maybe faded?
Konetchy purple
Jackson purple of center and with one slightly ragged/worn looking edge

I'll see if I can manage scans later today.


Steve B

[Exhibitman]

why not have them dry cleaned?

[steve B]

I wanted to be sure that would work before trying it. Since water looks bad, I didn't want to end up with blank B18s, even the faded commons.

And some inks are doubly fugitive, dissolving in both water and oil based cleaners. British stamps used that for a time, and getting them off the envelope or remaining scrap of paper is difficult.

My wife does sewing, I think she's got a home dry cleaning kit. Plus I have access to loads of industrial cleaners, maybe even a can of 111 trichloroethane I set aside. But a lot of that stuff is really bad for cloth in the long run if not instantly. Unless it's metal, I'm very hesitant to go straight to the chemical cleaners without figuring out what they'll do to the item.

Steve B

[steve B]

Here's a couple scans. The scanner is scanning a bit oddly. The Konetchy shows the dinginess pretty accurately, but is yellowed. I tried correcting the on the Jackson scan, but it made the colors too vivid.

sometimes I look at them and think they're fine as-is, other times I think they're too dusty not to clean.
Steve B

[Leon]

Personally, I would just leave them the way they are. Either of the methods I described shouldn't harm them if done gently so you could try that, but otherwise, they look fine to me.

[timzcardz]

I clean/dust fabric lampshades in our house by vigorously brushing the. with a paint brush. Don' see why that wouldn't help here, or that it could hurt any either.

Just hold it against something stiff like a book or board and brush away.

As for dry cleaning, if you should try that route then try only one first, perhaps the worst, and see how it goes. You could also ask the dry cleaner to test one spot first to see what happens.

[ctownboy]

If it is just surface dust or dirt you are worried about, why not just put the B18's into an empty pillowcase, tie the open end closed, put it in the dryer and run on air dry? Seems to me the tumbling action would knock some of the surface stuff off and with no heat, there shouldn't be any worries about damage.

David