Develop an optimal washing method for textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains

Abstract Textile relics was an important part of Chinese precious cultural heritage, and its washing treatment was the primary work of the restoration, display and storage of textile relics. However, the study on washing treatment of textile relics has always been controversial and major challenge, especially the study of washing method. Therefore, in this paper, washing efficiency, degree of abrasion, tensile strength, appearance morphology, infrared spectrometry and EDS spectra of textile relics treated by different washing methods were analyzed and compared to develop an optimal washing method for textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains. Results showed that from the view point of balancing the mechanical properties and abrasion of textile relics, as well as the removal and redeposition of stain, the washing method of ultrasonic was more suitable for silk textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains, the composite washing treatment {gently brush + ultrasonic (M5), gently brush + micro-nano bubbles (M6)} was more acceptable for cotton, linen and wool textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains. In addition, the experimental results also revealed that the composite washing method was more environmental and energy-saving because of its higher decontamination efficiency, reducing the amount of detergent and reducing the washing time. Consequently, there was a huge potential for the application of the developed-optimal washing method for textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains to the actual textile relic cleaning work, due to superior cleaning benefits and minimal damage.