External factors. Fabrics are relatively resistant to external factors. While in the ground, the fabric is subject to the destructive action of various microorganisms and chemicals; when released into the air, it often crumbles. Fabrics of plant origin dissolve in an acidic environment, and of animal origin in an alkaline environment. In soils with a pH factor significantly different from 7 the resistance of the fabrics is hardly to be expected. Sometimes, however, thanks to the preservative effect of the soil (np. occurrence of metal oxides in the ground, such as copper or iron) fabrics can last for many centuries.
Damage caused by improper conservation procedures. In old conservation works, faulty methods or harmful means were often used. You can count here, m.in. sticking cotton patches with glutin binder in places of damage, or covering flags with oil varnish, which permeated the entire fabric.
