A preliminary investigation into the effect of solvent vapour on ingrained textile soiling

Abstract

This research paper aimed to investigate the effects of solvent vapour on ingrained soiling when applied to a textile in a poultice method for the re-activation of an adhesive film.

The research was based around a tailored and focused methodology in which replicates of silk fabric were artificially soiled with a mixture of organic and inorganic particulate soiling and oil. Six variables were included in the experiment which were predicted to influence any change in the level of soiling. The vapour of acetone and IDA was applied to the replicates by way of dampened blotting paper, through two barrier layers, GoreTex® and Reemay®, for two exposure times, one minute and three minutes. The replicates were analysed with light microscopy, with the addition of ImageJ image analysis software, and FTIR-ATR, with the addition of calculated absorbance ratios. The results of the tests showed movement of the particulate soiling and a decrease in oil, on the front and back of all replicates, indicating that solvent vapour can partially solubilise textile soiling. Further analysis is required to determine the statistical significance of the results.