Are you wondering how to store old photos? Today we will talk about what causes damage to old photos and how to store them properly.
You might have noticed that somewhere in your house, there’s a box filled with old and worn-out photographs of your great-great-grandparents. These photos might have cracks or fading, but they’re still really important because they show your family’s history and where you came from. Even though you might not know these people, it’s still really cool to see how your family has changed over time.
But instead of letting these precious photos sit in the back of your closet and slowly fall apart, you can do some easy things to help preserve them.
You could scan them onto your computer or phone or take them to a store that can scan them for you. This way, you’ll have digital copies of the photos that you can keep safe and share with other family members.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget about the more recent photos that you’ve taken. It’s also important to take care of these pictures so that you can look back on them in the future and remember the good times.
Even though there are ways to fix old photos now, like making them look new again, you shouldn’t think that it’s always possible to do that.
Taking care of your pictures from the beginning is much better, so they don’t get damaged or worn out over time. It’s like taking care of something important to you so that it lasts a long time and doesn’t break or get ruined.
You can read more on the next page if you’re unsure what could harm your photos and make them lose their quality. You might be surprised to learn about the things that can damage your old photos and how to protect them from getting ruined.
Continue reading the article to know how to store old photos.
What Damages the Old Photos
Have you ever noticed that sometimes your favorite photos can start to look a little damaged or worn out? Well, there are a few reasons why that happens.
First of all, the way you store your photos can make a big difference. Just keeping them in a shoebox in your closet isn’t really good enough.
Photos are delicate, so they need to be protected carefully, just like any other valuable thing.
If a photo is really old and precious, you need to be even more careful to keep it safe from things that can cause damage. Light, bugs, fingerprints, water, mildew, and extreme cold or heat can damage photos.
Unfortunately, your photos can still get damaged even if you’re doing everything right. That’s because when they were originally printed, the people who made them might not have done a very good job.
They might have used materials that weren’t very good quality or made mistakes that could cause the photo to break down over time.
Sometimes, even the materials used to store the photo can be bad for it. For example, some kinds of paper or mounting boards contain acid, slowly damaging the photo over time.
It’s also really important to be careful if you want to take a photo out of an album.
If you try peeling it off a sticky page, you can accidentally cause cracks or other damage that can’t be fixed. So, it’s usually best to leave the photo where it is and ensure the album is stored properly.
Overall, the key is to be really careful with your photos and to make sure you’re storing them in a safe, protected way. That way, you can enjoy looking at them for many years to come.
ALSO READ: 5 Things to Do Before Passing Down an Heirloom
How to Safely Store the Old Photos
Even the photos you took recently will get old someday, so it’s important to take care of them from the very beginning.
You can start by buying some supplies from your local craft store, like albums with protective sleeves and photo storage boxes that won’t damage your pictures over time.
Before you pack away any old photos, make sure to take off any clips, rubber bands, staples, or anything that might damage the pictures. And if you touch your photos with your bare hands, it’s a good idea to wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
If you have really important or historical photos, you might want to ask for help from a professional who knows how to take care of them properly. They can help you clean the photos and get them ready for storage so that they last a long time.
Where you store your photos is just as important as what you store them in. The best place for photos is somewhere dark and not too hot or cold, with just the right amount of humidity.
You don’t want to keep your photos in places like the garage or attic where the environment might damage them. You can even buy fire or waterproof storage boxes to keep your valuable photos safe.
Don’t forget to label your photos with names, dates, and places. You might remember these details now, but it’s important to write them down, so that future generations know who and what they’re looking at.
You can write on the back of the photo with a soft pencil, but be careful not to use ink that might damage the picture. It’s also a good idea to make digital copies of your photos and keep them in a safe place, like on a USB drive or a CD.
ALSO READ: 15 Common Family Heirlooms You May Find in Your Home
PRO TIP
Do you like keeping your favorite photos out in the open where you can see them every day? It’s important to know that putting the original photo in a frame can be bad for it because the light can damage it over time. So, it’s a good idea to make a copy of the photo and put that in a frame instead.
You can keep the original photo somewhere safe, like in a special box or album. Or, if you really want to frame the original photo, you can buy a special frame with special glass and a special backing that won’t hurt the photo. Just make sure to avoid frames with a wooden backing because the wood can have chemicals that can damage your photos.
Storing Old Photos Video Demonstration
How to Store Old Photos Properly Summary
- To preserve your photos, it’s important to take care of them from the beginning.
- Use supplies like protective albums and photo storage boxes to store them.
- Remove anything that could damage the photos before packing them away.
- Consider seeking professional help for important or historical photos.
- Store photos in a dark, temperature-controlled environment with the right humidity.
- Label photos with names, dates, and places and make digital copies for backup.
- Avoid framing original photos due to potential damage from light; make copies instead.
- Use frames with special glass and backing or store original photos in a safe place.
ALSO READ: How to Create a Family Heirloom to Pass Onto Your Daughter
