In order to preserve textiles, a mechanism must be provided to support that goal. In order to develop a preservation strategy, the fundamental causes of the deterioration of those materials must be understood, as well as the techniques which are available for eliminating, or at the very least, slowing down the deterioration process. The survival of any ancient textile is rather miraculous. Those by luck of the draw have escaped destruction by ordinary use, and saved because of historical or sentimental attachment, have been subjected to other deteriorative forces including light, fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity, airborne pollutants, insect pests, the manufacturing process, or the inherent fragility of the materials themselves. General properties of various fibers are discussed to include: cotton, linen, hair (sheep, goat, camel, llama, alpaca and vicuna), and the secretions obtained from the larvae of the silkworm.