ASTM D5429-04

This practice applies only to the pretreatment of the backing fabric by washing, rinsing, drying, and ironing before the backing fabric will be used in textile conservation research. Textile artifacts of historic and artistic value must not be treated using this practice. Decisions regarding the conservation treatment of textile artifacts should be made only by textile conservators.

This practice describes two procedures: sturdy and delicate pretreatments. Considerations of fiber content, yarn construction, and fabric construction will affect which procedure is chosen.

This practice provides for both the preshrinkage of backing fabrics used in textile conservation research and the removal of impurities such as water soluble sizings and other soils. Even backing fabrics obtained as “preshrunk” and “desized” should be pretreated to further reduce any residual amounts of sizing and shrinkage. Residual shrinkage and impurities might provide a source of unwanted variabiles in research. Not all sizings currently in use are water soluble, and some still might remain on the fabric even after pretreatment.

This practice is designed so that potentially harmful impurities, such as detergent residues, will not be added to backing fabric. Added impurities might eventually be a source of unwanted variables.

This practice is designed to essentially neutralize the pH of backing fabrics used in textile conservation research.

1.1 This practice covers the washing, rinsing, drying, ironing, and related testing of backing fabrics prior to their use in textile conservation research. Both sturdy and delicate pretreatment procedures for backing fabrics are described.

1.2 This practice applies only to the pretreatment of the backing fabrics with which a textile artifact might be in contact. This practice is not to be applied to any textile artifact, whether it be fragile, sturdy, historic, or contemporary, as other considerations and treatments would be required. Decisions regarding the conservation treatment of textile artifacts should be made only by textile conservators.

1.3 This practice on pretreatment of backing fabrics used in textile conservation research is limited to use on greige goods. Considerations for dyed or bleached backing fabric will not be addressed in this practice.

1.4 The procedures in this practice concern:

1.4.1 Removal of sizings and any impurities left in the backing fabric from the manufacturing process,

1.4.2 Preshrinking of the backing fabric, and

1.4.3 Testing for impurities.

1.5 All backing fabrics used in textile conservation research should be pretreated before use. Even greige fabrics obtained as "preshrunk" and "desized" should be pretreated to further reduce shrinkage and residual amounts of sizing and impurities. Residual shrinkage and impurities might be a source of unwanted variables in research.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.