Bird's-eye view of a tapestry wash at Hampton Court Palace

[@jmmt1968]

Amazing. Imagine what the commissioners and creators of this beautiful tapestry would think of this process and the loving care still given to the tapestry.

[@lesleydickson7746]

Fascinating. I wouldn't have dreamt that they actually washed the tapestries!

[@akosuavilaysane7094]

Thanks so much for taking us behind the scenes :) Such a cool process!

[@annewren8845]

I was just imagining the process ending, and the tapestry was the size of a postage stamp!!

[@paigeperfect4493]

are there side by side before and after photos?

[@jedixsquare]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@debbieboring3422]

This is amazing to watch. How long did this take from start to finish?

[@n49o7]

I don't quite understand the method. There's a giant machine that puts foam on the tapestry, but then there still has to be people with sponges in addition. Wouldn't the opposite be easier? Spray the foam with a hose and have the machine gently tap with sponges? Then the towels are laid by hand instead of using a roll, and fans need to be brought in instead of having one ventilation system with an on/off switch. My question is: what is the purpose of this machine?

[@duica01]

I agree, it´s so disappointing. That´s how I wash my carpets :(

[@nellinightshade3358]

have recently seen the iconic series of 'the lady and the unicorn' tapestries. how (if at all) could these be cleaned?

[@janeday9148]

Fascinating but before and after would have been even better

[@wootlesswocks]

How often does the Tapestry need cleaning?

[@michaelsimpson945]

There's a TV programme here

[@wllm4785]

You missed a spot.

[@surfob]

Be good to have heard the real sounds of the cleaning process. That would have put us at a time in the right place. Rather than in a window seat... waiting for the plane to roll back and to hear the safety announcements.

[@amesavis]

Seems quite absurd. Do they get that dirty? I didn't see any dirt, I mean are the ghosts having thousands of candles burning and smells of food everywhere and what is the point of spraying on top of water and then having women dab at certain spots with a sponge? You really should explain more.

[@patriciabilinkas3911]

amesavis After 600 years, a helluva lot of dust and pollutants got attached.

[@Consrignrant]

@amesavis..........Yes, those silly, professional restorers. They should hire you.

[@gordonsmith8899]

Decades, if not centuries of candles, coal fires, cigars and cigarettes, thousands of visitors coughing and breathing on them, past neglect and periods of storage when they were simply 'old hangings' - modern conservation is directed by science + experience. Come back in thirty years time and methods may have changed possibly.

[@rimadawson4087]

Fascinating, but all that for a cloth of tapestry 😂😂😂

[@joiefinley3432]

This needs narration, not annoying muzak.

[@mxylpx]

Then they put it in a big Ol' dryer and let it dry for 45 min. or longer...rumbly rumbly rumbly...

[@jessicaelliott9857]

Do they really need those people standing around watching?, and who is paying for them?.