Orvus Paste
So, what's so special about Orvus paste?
There's not one, single approach that is right for all textiles. Age, type of fabric, type of soilage all influence what type of approach to take to clean a vintage or antique garment or textile. While there's no one product or method that should be universally applied, Orvus paste is a very useful cleaner that can be used on a variety of textiles. Is it a catchall solution, a miracle cure for vintage linens and vintage garments? No. But it is a pretty good thing.
So, what's so special about Orvus paste?
Not wanting to get bogged down with terminology that is still in contention according to some ("soap" vs. "detergent"), at this point we'll just say that Orvus is a detergent. It's also -- gasp -- a detergent that is regularly used to wash horses and other animals. Orvus is (unlike most off-the-shelf detergents found in the grocery store) pH neutral, anionic, contains no enzymes, contains no sulfates, and contains no bleaches or other optical whiteners. Too much hard water will render it ineffective. It also has no "antiredeposit agents," elements in common detergents that are used to prevent dirt that has been loosened in the wash from redepositing on the textile.
So, why is Orvus used and prized by those involved in curatorial work? Because it's one of the least invasive and disruptive cleaning products. A textile conservator is primarily concerned with keeping the historical document (the textile) stable and preserved. To paraphrase Hippocrates, "first, do no harm." So it may take a conservator multiple rinsings to get all the Orvus paste solution out of the textile (Ovus does not foam, like common detergents). That's okay with the conservator, because conservation comes first. For many vintage clothing collecters and dealers, Orvus paste may not be the most ideal solution. This might be shocking or heresy to some, but there are other methods of cleaning that can be applied to fairly stable garments. Orvus has its uses, but is not a be-all and end-all solution.
Orvus paste is definitely a good candidate for very old linens, textiles and garments. For those cherished items in one's wardrobe or linen closet, it's better to use Orvus than a common grocery detergent (generally, an ill-advised no-no).
One last word on Orvus. It's the same product (sodium lauryl sulfate) as that which is used to wash horses. Really. So it's much more economical to purchase it from a saddlery or livestock store in bulk (about $20-$30 for a 7.5 pound jar), vs. quilt shops (about $7.50 for an 8-once jar).
Where can I find this?
http://www.amazon.com
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