The first step in the care of textiles in the family home is the complex operation of cleaning, the importance of which is often underestimated. Cleaning is often carried out inexpertly or according to traditional ideas which are actually wrong.
The cleaning process, which should be carried out at most every two years, and at least every five, depending on where the textile is located in the home, refreshes the appearance of the piece, restores moisture content and flexibility to the fibres and prolongs the lifespan of the piece, by preserving its structure.
Considered by many as a straightforward business, cleaning textiles actually requires technical knowledge and skill which come with experience and dedication. The main risks linked to a lack of experience include the inability to recognise chemical dyes used in the textile. f the correct fixing agents are not used then the colours will run, and this is usually irreversible.
We carry out the entire process by hand. Below is a brief outline.
- dusting
- testing colourfastness to avoid colours running
- moth treatment carried out by hand with soft brushes
- washing in demineralized water using specific cleaning products
- distribution
- removal of residues of products used to ensure rug fibres are not left dull
- natural drying
In our workshop we not only clean all types of textiles by hand, from antique to modern, but also offer specialised cleaning for particular pieces such as Aubusson and Gobelin tapestries.