Maintaining Your Collection
Being a collector means that you are passionate about your collection. You save for the more expensive pieces, care for them and scour the stores for the best and most coveted buys. For many collectors, their collection represent the many years they have toiled hard for the collection to be complete. It is also a valuable library of history that should be preserved and appreciated. Collectors treat their collections as special belongings, and because of that, these collections deserve nothing but proper care and maintenance.
As for US Militaria, these collectible pieces require a bit more than just special treatment. Items favored by collectors include head gear and uniforms. For these pieces, you need to take special care because the fabric used for these items, like other fabrics, will fade and become brittle due to soap, time and exposure. If upon acquisition it is already a bit worn out and faded, it is better to have it professionally cleaned and maintained. Doing the dry cleaning and/or washing procedures yourself may harm the fabric and cause rips and tears. Professional cleaning facilities have machines that can be turned to gently wash the fabric, so it is a safer bet. But if the US Militaria that you have acquired is still sturdy, then you can still use home cleaning detergents. Make sure you use only mild soap and that you tumble dry it instead of using the hot dryer or line drying the material. Press the uniform with medium heat flat iron and use a breathable cloth bag to store it when they are not on display. You can follow the same for headgear, but upon storing it, make sure you have a shape holder to maintain the shape of the item or else it will collapse. Place them in boxes when not on display and if possible, store both uniforms and headgear with silica gel packets to absorb moisture and prevent mold. If you are to display them, most collectors prefer airtight glass containers. Most of these containers have built in holders that maintain the shape of the pieces, so your US Militaria stays sharp and snappy for a long time.
If you are looking for professional cleaners, make sure you ask if they specialize in old fabric maintenance so you are sure they know what they are doing. Remember that these uniforms and headgear have already been worn in battle, so the fabric may not be as strong.
If the items that you have are non-fabric like insignia and weapons-related items, then your number one concern should be preventing rust or corrosion. Copper and bronze items usually accumulate a greenish corrosion from exposure. This can be easily cleaned at home using a metal cleaner and a soft toothbrush and rag. However, you should look for professional services if you have noticed a black or bluish discoloration in any of your metal or steel pieces. These types of stains are usually caused by contact with other non-compatible chemicals like nickel or sulfur, rather than air, so they are harder to take out and may need special cleaning chemicals.
Taking care of your wwii militaria collection is hard work, but most collectors find it fulfilling to care for them themselves. But you must see the danger signs and know when to call for professional help. When you do need them, they are always available in internet directories under special services or professional cleaning. With their help, you can save your valuable treasures for a long time.