Originally Posted by ghostrider
According to Gerald Roy, a well qualified expert, most of the plastic bins are actually archival, especially if they don't have an air tight seal. The acid in cardboard will stain fabrics over time, just like the acid in the wood it comes from.
Well, I have been lucky with the bins, because none of the ones I own are air tight <g>
I don't know about the wood causing problems because I just received a wooden box FULL of wool blanket samples - - similar to Pendleton blanket samples?
The samples are in very good condition, and I even found a swatch of (oh, what is that stuff that they used to make women's bloomers out of? black - - sateen?) the swatch paper information was dated 1917!
The only stain I see on any of the pieces is from the metal staples (not staples - -they are the big headed pins that have prongs that you open up to hold things together?)
I probably ought to go to bed ... I am brain numb!:?
Anyway, the wood is not finished, and I am wondering if that is a factor, I am sure!
Have you heard that you shouldn't use newspapers unless they have aged for 2 weeks? because they will rub off on fabric ...
I wonder if the wood in this bin I have didn't come from another project, so it was well-seasoned.
And, I have mentioned before that I have fabric I stored in a cardboard box back in 1983 .. or, it might have been 1981 ... anyway, it has been stored in that box for at least 25 years, and it looks just like it did when I put it in there
HOWEVER - - I have not tried my "Is it rotten" test, so if I find out that it has rotted, I will have to assume that it has to do with deterioration from the box, since it is cotton. Although, it was bought from (can you believe I remember this??? <g>) Fabric Warehouse in Astoria, Oregon ... back then, the LQS "myth" had not gained any integrity - - if it was even an issue.