Efficacy of Enzymes and other Stain Removal Techniques in Museum Textiles

Abstract

Textiles and their products are susceptible to a variety of stains due to varied use and environment. Primary reason for the vulnerability of textiles is their organic origin, which renders them fit as food for microorganisms. The problem of pest infestation multiplies in case of museum textiles as most part of it is kept in storage for long periods of time. Even mild pest activity on surface of fabrics can result in tough stains originating from pest saliva, excretion and by-products of fiber breakdown. Termed as 'second-skin' by scholars, textiles evidently witness every single activity that becomes part of our life. Thus, in addition to the common stains like food, cosmetics etc, not so common stains like blood also find place on these organic surfaces. Most of the decorative textiles are either made in decorative weaves or a combination of base fabric with embellishments which many a times happen to be metal in various forms. These in turn give way to the persistent problem of fabric staining and damage due to rust. This research paper would primarily focus on the removal of three stains, i.e., rust, mould and blood and comparison of procedures for stain removal by traditional indigenous techniques, contemporary laboratory procedures and enzymes