Isabel Garretón Product Care & Conservation
Light — Low light levels are preferable for storage. Sunlight and florescent light are especially damaging.
Humidity & Temperature — Moist air, (over 60% humidity) warmth & lack of air circulation encourages mold, stains & deterioration. Basements and attics may provide extreme fluctuations in humidity levels, which is to be avoided. Plastic bags can trap humidity & result in mildew.
Insects — Inspect the garment regularly, furniture and carpet beetles & webbing clothes moths are especially attracted to silk.
Materials — Protect the textile piece from direct contact with wood, (avoid cedar chests especially for cotton and linen) ordinary cardboard or metal. Layers of acid free tissue or washed unbleached cotton muslin can be used to line boxes or containers. Ideally you would wash the muslin or change the tissue once a year. Flat storage or rolled in acid free tissue is better than hanging.
Resources—
If acid free tissue is not available. Replace with white tissue & renew every year.
Archival (acid-free) boxes can be purchased from conservation supply businesses.
Bachman, K. (ed.) Conservation Concerns: A Guide for Collectors and Curators. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1992.
Keck, C.K. Care of Textiles and Costumes: Adaptive Techniques for Basic Maintenance. Nashville, TN: American Association for State and Local History (Technical Leaflet 71).
Mailand, H.F. and Alig, D.S. Preserving Textiles: A Guide for the Nonspecialist. Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis Museum of Art, 1999