A PILOT STUDY ON STAIN REDUCTION Effects of Stains, Cleaning Agents, and Cleaning Methods on Polyester Textiles

Abstract

The thesis was an experimental pilot study that investigated efficiency and effects of stains and cleaning agents on polyester textiles. A literature review and interviews with textile conservators were used to understand the degradation of polyester fibres and to find suit-able staining and cleaning agents to use in the experiments of the study. The experimental part contained aged and stained samples of polyester fabric. The samples were stained with acidic coffee, alkaline ashes and fatty synthetic sebum and cleaned with Orvus WA Paste, Dehypon LS54, Gall soap, triammonium citrate and ethanol. Two cleaning methods were used: cotton swabs dipped in cleaning agent and cleaning agent dripped through the sample on a suction table. All cleaning agents and cleaning methods were effective for stain reduction on some types of stains. No cohesive changes in degradation caused by the different staining agents or cleaning agents were shown in the results from tensile testing.