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in the enclosure can buildup and cause permanent damage or a yellowing effect to the gown. Boxes made with cellophane or plastic windows are also a poor choice since they give off gasses which can cause damage to the gown. Most plastics decompose giving off fumes that cause rapid oxidation of the fabric and may deposit acidic residues onto the fabric. Sealing with plastic can also trap moisture inside the box creating potential problems with mildew. Besides, if your gown is made with natural fibers it will need to breathe in the storage environment. Museums and textile conservators recommend storing fabrics in an environment that breathes.

Insist that your cleaner use Archival Products such as boxes and tissues that are acid free, lignin free and that meet museum standards and specifications for long term textile storage. Archival unbuffered or buffered tissues should be used in between the folds of the gown to prevent permanent breaks or wrinkles. Buffered tissue is most commonly used with synthetic fabrics while unbuffered tissues are used on natural fabrics like silk, cotton or wool.

Your gown should be taken out of the box about every 5 to 7 years for inspection and refolding. This gives you quality control over the gowns aging results and is most helpful in making sure you catch any stains that show with age. If new stains are noticed, you will need to have your cleaner inspect the gown and possibly reclean it. While handling your gown, white cotton gloves should be worn to keep finger oils from depositing on the gown. Oils can oxidize thus leaving a stain like appearance on the gown.

Now that you have your gown in a box, it is time to choose a location to store it. The best place to store a gown is in a cool, dry place such as underneath a bed or on a middle shelf of a closet. Basements and attics where humidity and temperature are too extreme are not good locations. It is important that air is able to circulate around the box to provide a consistent, stable environment for the gown to age in. With care your gown can remain a prize possession for generations to come. [page 1]

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Christine Morrissey is the President and CEO of National Gown Cleaners & Archival Products.