Figure 1: Irreversible light damage has faded the pattern on this bear

Transcription

1 Julia Wood MSST 601 Resident Expert April 24, 2015 Care and Storage of Stuffed Toy Bears Materials Stuffed toy bears present unique challenges because they are rarely made of one type of material. 1. The outer fur of a stuffed toy bear is often made of wool a. Mohair is especially common among older bears 2. The inner stuffing is usually a cotton or kapok 3. More modern bears are usually made of synthetic materials that are less vulnerable to pests and some agents of deterioration. 4. Stuffed toy bears incorporate a wide variety of other materials a. Eyes can be made of glass, plastic, or wood. Metal buttons can be placed in ears (as is characteristic of Steiff bears), silk can be used to create claw stitches (characteristic of Bing bears) or for bowties. The pads of their feet are made from velvet, cloth, hemp, or felt. The bear s features might be embroidered on. Leather can be used for shoes or collars. Several bears also have clothing, which can be made from a variety of materials as well. Storage 1. Consider the materials of the bear when developing storage plans. Some bears will be more vulnerable than others. 2. Like most collections, stuffed bears should be kept at a relative humidity between 35% and 65% and a temperature between 35 and 75 degrees fahrenheit, according to conservator Rick Kershner. Use a thermostat and a humidistat to keep track. a. Bears are especially vulnerable because they are made of organic materials. Mold and mildew cause irreversible damage, so prevention is essential.

2 3. Light damage is a big concern for any bear with silk or satin components. All bears can fade in light, though. 4. Wrap bears in acid free tissue paper and store them in archival boxes. If this is beyond your means, bears can be wrapped in acid free tissue paper or clean cotton sheets and temporarily stored in cardboard boxes. 5. Be especially careful not to warp bears. Improper storage can cause bears to become permanently out of shape. 6. Do not store them in direct contact with wood, like in a drawer. Cleaning Cleaning is an irreversible process and must be done with caution. 1. Mold and mildew are of particular concern. Bears can be aired out in a well ventilated area until they are dry. Some mold can be gently removed from bears though vacuuming. For large amounts of mold, consult a conservator. 2. Dust can be very damaging to stuffed toy bears, and they can attract moisture and pests. Bears may be brushed lightly. Dr. Grier, the Director of Museum Studies at the University of Delaware suggests doing so on a white sheet so that you can see what comes off of the bear, paying special attention for pieces of insects or their feces. 3. Stuffed bears can also be vacuumed carefully with a variable speed High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA) vacuum on low. 4. Modern, sturdy bears made of synthetic material can be gently hand washed by sponging the bear lightly. Never submerge the bear in water. These sort of bears can also be placed in the dryer with extreme caution. Place the bear in a cotton pillowcase, tie it shut, and put it on a low tumble. This should not be done on fragile or antique bears. 5. Some sources suggest dusting bears with baking soda to clean and deodorize them. However, Dr. Grier has pointed out that this is a bad idea bears should not be dusted with baking soda or anything else. Pests

3 1. Bears made out of wool can attract moths and carpet beetles. Dr. Grier said that while mohair is an organic material it is a very hard fiber and is relatively resistant to pests. However, bears often have old food stains, which attract several kinds of moths and beetles. 2. According to Tom Parker, an expert in pest management in museums, webbing clothes moths are attracted to fur, felt, and wool any animal product can attract them. Be on the look out for webbing and silken tubes that these moths leave behind. 3. Prevention: Careful monitoring is essential. This can be done though glue traps. Quarantine new acquisitions so that they cannot contaminate your entire collection. Encapsulate storage areas. 4. Treatment: some sources suggest using bay leaves, lavender, or moth balls to rid bears of pests, but as Dr. Grier has suggested that these will not do the trick. Instead, bears may be treated though freezing. This is done by placing the bear in a sealed plastic, heavy weight, polyethylene bag, and then placing that bag in a freezer at 5 degrees fahrenheit for 72 hours. It is then removed for a week, and refrozen. Dr. Grier suggests doing this at least three time to ensure that all of the eggs are eliminated. Handling 1. As with any other object, you should limit the number of people who handle stuffed toy bears and train those who do. Also, limit how often bears are handled. 2. Limbs can become weaker over time, and moving joints become looser. In some cases, they can even fall off. 3. While handling bears, you should support their limbs and never hold them by their limbs. Wear nitrile gloves while handling bears because they work for the variety of materials that are associated with toy bears.

4 Figure 1: Irreversible light damage has faded the pattern on this bear

5 Figure 2: This bear has been bent out of shape by improper storage.

6 Sources King, Gilbert. Smithsonian Magazine. The History of the Teddy Bear: From Wet and Angry to Soft and Cuddly. December 21, National Parks Service. 1/12. How to Select Gloves: An Overview for Collections Staff. September National Parks Service. 16/1. Causes, Detection, and Prevention of Mold and Mildew on Textiles. July The Winterthur Guide to Caring for Your Collection, copyright 2000, The Henry Francis Du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc. Special Thanks to Dr. Katherine Grier of the University of Delaware and Thomas Parker, expert in integrated pest management in museums.