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Salvaging Water-damaged Textiles

Washington, January 24, 1996 - Cleaning up after a flood is not easy and properly salvaging valuable personal property requires expert advice. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with experts from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and Heritage Preservation to provide flood victims with the best restoration information available.

After the floodwaters recede and officials declare it safe to return to your home, you can take action to salvage and minimize damage to valuable textiles, such as clothes, quilts, costumes, laces, needlework, or tapestries. Because textiles vary in nature, they may respond differently to moisture. Most will be weaker and heavier when wet and will require extra care when handling.

Here are a few tips from the AIC Textile Speciality Group:

Careful Handling

• Beware of serious health hazards associated with mud and mold. Wear plastic disposable gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and if possible, use a respirator.
• If your textiles have been insured, photograph the items before you take steps to salvage them, and document your efforts.
• If you must move wet textiles, use a solid support or stretched canvas to carry them.
• Do not attempt to unfold extremely delicate fabrics if the fragile layers are stuck together. Wait until they are dry and consult a conservator.

Cleaning

• To remove mud and debris, re-wet the textiles with gently flowing clean water or with a fine hose spray.

Drying

• Gently press water out with the palm of your hand. Do not wring or twist dry.
• Remove excess water with dry towels, blotting paper or blank newsprint. This is especially important of the dyes are bleeding.
• Avoid stacking textiles during the drying process.
• Reshape the textile while it is still damp to approximate its original contours.

Ventilation

• Do not place textiles in sealed plastic bags.
• Air dry indoors with the lights on to inhibit mold growth.
• Circulate the air with air conditioning, fans and open windows to inhibit mold growth.
• Use a dehumidifier in the room with the wet textiles. Drain the collecting container often.

Professional Help

• You may need a textile conservator to assess the damage and recommend appropriate treatment. Call the American Institute for Conservation at (202) 452-9545 for more information on how to find a conservator in your area.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 14:49:36 EDT