Here are some tips on how to preserve your textile ornaments so they will be lasting keepsakes for years to come.
How To Preserve Your Textile Keepsakes
Have you ever walked into someones home and the air is filled with a musty odor? That smell comes from a home that really needs some tender loving care. If the home is not maintained well, after a period of time mold and mildew can find its way into walls, floors, carpets and even cupboards, especially if there was a leak that didn't get quick attention. Taking care of your home requires much effort on your part to ensure the things in your home are in good working order and clean. "A well preserved home is a clean home!" 
So with that in mind, it's also important to take care of your textile keepsakes, ensuring they are well protected from the unseen things in your home that could cause permanant damage. It's a process that doesn't have to be expensive, it's just a matter of educating yourself and knowing how and where to store them until your ready to use them again.
Here are some do's and don'ts ........
Eliminate Moisture Problems
When storing your textile ornaments, store them in a dry, acid free container and place a packet of silica gels inside the box making sure it is not touching any of the ornaments. This will help to control moisture that can get into the box and ultimately damage the contents. Silica gels can sometimes be found in your local grocery store (check the cat litter isle) or I have seen them on eBay. However, if you happen to purchase something with the gel packet inside, save it for this purpose.
Please, No Flash Photography
Don't be afraid to display your keepsakes in your home, just be mindful not to place them in direct sunlight. Move the ornament to another spot if the sun hits them during the day. Natural, ultra and infrared lighting can cause discoloration to the fibers if not stored correctly. Remember the fun trips to the museums? No Flash Photography was always inforced.
Eeewww, Wash Your Hands!
You would never think that handling your textile keepsakes could cause them harm, but they can. Our hands contain dirt particles that are sometimes unseen as well as oils that can get into the fibers and permanantly stain the fabric. Before handling your keepsake, obviously wash your hands with mild soap and water and make sure your hands are completely dry.
Paper or Plastic?
When storing your textile keepsakes, it's not recommended using plastic bags. With the bag air tight there is no circulation and the humidity can cause moisture build up, which creates what? That's right, mold and mildew. Instead wrap each keepsake separately in acid free tissue paper or unbleached muslin and place them in your acid free container. It's a much better choice, and if your keepsakes could thank you, they would.
Clean, Clean, Clean
After the holidays and your ready to take down the decorations, get the vacuum out and get into the nooks and crannys of the shelves where you will be storing them. A good cleaning will eleviate dirt particles, cob webs, bugs and their larvae keeping your decorations safe for next year.
Those Pesky Pests
Moths, carpet beetles, silverfish and fire brats love the dark moisture climate. Be sure there is no moisture after cleaning the shelves if you used water and soap. AND, definitely don't use pesticides as the chemicals can easily get inside the box and damage the fibers.
My Keepsakes are Where?
Storing your precious keepsakes in the garage, attic or basement is not a good choice. Not only is the humidity an issues, but your inviting bugs to infest the contents as well as rodents chewing their way in and making a nest for their "babies". ugh! Don't take a chance for your keepsakes to be destroyed by the varmin. Take them inside the house where "keepsakes" belong.
Love The Smoker, Hate The Smoke
Smoking in your home is not only unhealthy for your body or those around you but it's one of the worst things that causes nicotene stains and odors throughout your home. Trying to get the stains and odor out of fabric fibers is almost, if not impossible. The best thing to do is just not smoke.
So with all this good information, it's now time to prepare your ornaments for storage. Plan ahead and get all the boxes you need and the tissue paper ready. Your efforts will pay off in the long run and you may be able to hand your keepsakes down to your grandchildren who will hopefully take care of them the way you did.
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