I would probably try cleaning the textile by preparing some Gellan Gum with an anionic surfactant like Orvus W.A.Paste (SLS); something like a 2% Gellan Gum with, 2% Orvus in it (some testing and adjusting will be required obviously). Then you can rinse much of it by applying some neutral Gellan Gum (made only with deionised water), but you will also need to do much tedious and slow rinsing by swabbing with deionised water alone and blotting with thick blotting paper (with some more blotting paper underneath the textile part, to absorb excess humidity and protect under layers). This should do a great job, though the stains may be irreversible, which is often the case with fragile textiles (you could also try the ‘modular cleaning program’ to help with removal of rest, but be prepared for the eventuality that the stains are permanent). Even though some staining may remain, you will still have at least partly de-acidified the textile that has been in contact with leather for the whole life of the waistband, and greatly refreshed it. Then, before stitching everything back in place, don’t forget to insert a thin protective layer in between the textile and the leather (if at all possible) with something like a soft non-woven polyester maybe (many other options could work, like japanese paper that could also be used simultaneously to back the leather, but be careful with Mylar that has sharp edges!).
Hope this helps :) Rachel Dessaints Textile and objects conservator ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
