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

See through the eyes of the textile conservators as they wash the 17th century Mortlake tapestry ‘February’ in a wash bath built specifically for our largest tapestries at Hampton Court Palace. The tapestries are cleaned using de-ionised (soft) water and a special detergent mixture.
This Tapestry is part of the Royal Collection Trust's collection. You can find out more about it on their website: www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/1404/february
You can now watch the tapestry being re-hung: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp7TkHVqnZxgqsU

[@joannamallory2823]

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.

[@akosuavilaysane7094]

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

[@lesleydickson7746]

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

[@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!

[@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 :(

[@debbieboring3422]

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

[@nellinightshade3358]

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

[@wootlesswocks]

How often does the Tapestry need cleaning?

[@janeday9148]

Fascinating but before and after would have been even better

[@wllm4785]

You missed a spot.

[@michaelsimpson945]

There's a TV programme here

[@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.

[@rimadawson4087]

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

[@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.

[@jessicaelliott9857]

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

[@mxylpx]

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

[@joiefinley3432]

This needs narration, not annoying muzak.