Yellowed, black and white, worn-out old photos are often the only souvenir of previous generations in our family. Many people keep them in albums, others put the photos in a box and hide them in the attic, basement or storage room. Improper storage is most often responsible for its poor condition. How to store family photos?
How to store family photos? These are not the right places
The most important rule is to protect them from moisture. Places such as basements, garages, and attics increase the risk that mold will appear on old paper photos and the material will begin to fall apart. So where is the best place to keep your photos? Choose not only the right room for this. This is what you need to remember:
- lack of access to light,
- temperature approx. 16-18 degrees Celsius,
- humidity level approx. 40-45 percent
Therefore, the best will be a room where there are no plants, where you do not dry laundry, but which you air often. Remember that paper does not like light and moisture.
Photo illustrative How to care for photos? Photo Ulza / iStock
How to take care of your photos to enjoy them as long as possible? Check how to protect old photos
It’s definitely better to keep it in an album than in a box. If you choose the second option, items made of materials with the appropriate certificate will be better than an old shoe box, e.g. acid-free cotton envelopes, polyester dust jackets and acid-free boxes or metal crates. How to protect old photos? It’s best to use grandma’s old method.
These valuable ones are worth collecting in which the cards are made of thick, black paper, with special dividers between them. Importantly, albums in the closet should lie, not stand. It is also worth packing the most valuable souvenirs in a separate box, which will prevent dust from accumulating and, above all, protect the photos from temperature fluctuations and moisture.
We take the photos in our hands wearing a protective cotton glove, and if we do not have one, we must wash our hands before touching the photos (hold them gently by the edges), so that we do not leave any greasy marks on the prints.
– advises It is worth digitizing the photos.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
