8 Important Tips to Properly Store Old Photographs

Important tips on how to properly store old photographs include: choosing archival-quality materials, using non-acidic materials, washing hands before handling photographs, choosing a conducive storage environment, creating reproductions, refraining from eating or drinking when handling photographs, avoid exposing photos to damaging substances, and don’t mix up photographs.

Taking photographs is a great way of preserving memories and moments. These bits of the past should be treasured and preserved for the future generations to appreciate. There are several things to note in order for photographs to last and maintain their quality, particularly in the storage aspect.

Choose archival-quality materials

Choose storage materials that have been labeled as appropriate for archival purposes. Old photographs may be stored using plastic sleeves and must be made of uncoated polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene. The use of such materials will definitely protect your photos from dirt, dust, fingerprints and other harmful elements in the environment. However, hand-colored prints, film-based negatives or prints with damaged surfaces must not be stored in plastic sleeves

Use non-acidic materials

The materials used must also be labeled as non-acidic. Cardboard and paper have been identified as damaging to photographs and these must be used only if appropriately labeled as acid free.

Wash your hands

Most damages to photographs are actually caused by poor and improper handling. It is important to handle negatives with clean hands; wash your hands before handling negative copies. Negatives should always be held by the edges, as the skin may contain oil, sweat and moisture harmful to the surface of negative copies.

Choose a conducive storage environment

The storage environment must also be safe and conducive for storing photographs. It must be a dry, clean and well-ventilated place, and the temperature must be stable. It is not advisable to store photographs in basements, garages or attics. Ensure that the area is also free of rodents, termites and other pests.

Create reproductions

If you want to put your photographs on display, it is better to make reproductions and use them instead of the original copies. Displaying photographs might expose them to external factors and harmful substances.

Refrain from eating or drinking when handling photographs

Avoid bringing food or drinks when handling photographs. Spills might cause permanent damage to the surfaces of photographs. The storage area must also be free from food, as these might attract insects or cause the formation of molds.

Avoid exposing to damaging substances

Photographs are vulnerable to several natural substances. Direct light, moisture, chemicals and heat are known to be damaging to photographs. Wood and rubber have also been identified to contain sulfur compounds that are likely to induce the growth of molds. The storage used must be able to protect photographs from these substances and other harmful elements in the environment.

Don’t mix up the photographs

Remember to sort out the photographs properly before putting them in their respective storage container. Separate colored prints from black and white photographs, and do not store them together. Similarly, old and deteriorating photographs must never be stored with the ones that are still in good condition.

Photographs can prove to be valuable family heirlooms to be shared by the next generation. They give us an instant access to the past and all the memories that come with it. Storing photographs requires much patience and care and is certainly worth the trouble.