Magical Methods: Water Washing in Conservation

Our custom-built water washing and light bleaching station allows the conservators to reduce staining and discoloration in paper pieces and textiles without the introduction of potentially damaging chemicals.
Our station has two parts, a sink area with monitored filtration and temperature control for water washing, and a light bank for light bleaching. The water bathing of paper pieces and textiles works to remediate staining by neutralizing the pH of pieces.
The processes of water bathing and light bleaching can vary from treatment to treatment, with our conservators relying on their prior knowledge and experience to diagnose the correct procedure used for each piece, and are only used in instances where the media allows for such processes.
Our station is also used in triage situations when paper pieces have been damaged, often through natural disasters or fire exposure, and require immediate attention by our conservators to remediate the damage.
Through the use of the water washing and light bleaching station our conservators are able to reduce staining and discoloration, sometimes with dramatic results.

[@soledadcorrea8768]

Nice video! A brief explanation of each step would be great.

[@frederickthompson2697]

Always fascinating process done with such care. Might be a tad easier to watch without that annoying 'musical' (noise?) background. More of a distraction than anything else. Thanks... F.

[@user-kb9cg2xq9p]

Is that original Rubens

[@DJcyberslash]

My eyes: 🤯😇 My ears: 😱☠️

[@singinginthedark2786]

immediately tries this at home

[@annemiura7767]

What’s with the weird music? It puts my insides on edge Can’t watch without muting…..

[@paulmaryon9088]

Great vid, terrible music

[@illumi73]

how did you test for ink solubility?

[@FrankLassowski]

Although the result is magnificent I'd love to here something about the how and why. Sadly almost nothing is explained 😞 And this music…

[@brennykins8823]

So interesting, if short on detail, thank you for sharing.

[@nelsonx5326]

I believe that drawing was a Rubens.

[@richardlisiura3025]

There's noting educational about this video except to show that paper can be cleaned somehow.

[@harryblack5041]

Try making bread without a recipe or ingredients! How can we try this at home, if no process or chemistry information is provided? Pointless having the ' Don't Try At home ' disclaimer, really. I'll consult my Edward Mortensen books. As others have said- the music is irritating...

[@ray.shoesmith]

Tried this on a Picasso, now I have brown. 0 stars