As with all oxidative procedures, this temporary brightening usually reverts to yellow once the textile is replaced in storage or on display. In addition to being discolored, your textile is now also weakened and brittle. In summary, the decision to bleach requires much forethought and consideration. It is not a procedure which should be lightly undertaken. Bleaching runs counter to the preservation of a textile, in that most chemicals and procedures used hasten the degradation of the fibers.
Results are often unsatisfactory, leading to little or spotty reduction of the stain.
Results are often temporary when viewed over the long span of a textile's lifetime. If , after much deliberation, the choice is made to have a textile bleached, the procedure should be carried out by a trained conservator under controlled conditions. R.L. Notes on the Chemistry of Bleaching Bulletin of IIC-AG, Vol. The Bishop Museum does not endorse any of the above companies or products, but offers this list as a resource. All rights reserved.