Going Through Your Old Photos? 3 Tips for Preserving Them
If you’re like most people, you have boxes of old photos stuffed away in a closet or attic somewhere. And if you’re anything like me, every so often you’ll go through them and think to yourself, “I really should do something with these.” But then life happens, and the photos go back into storage.
If you’re finally ready to do something with those old prints, here are a few tips to help you preserve them. Depending on the condition of the photos, you may be able to get away with just giving them a quick once-over. But if they’re looking worse for wear, then it’s time to take some extra steps to make sure they don’t deteriorate any further.
Assessing the Condition of Your Photos
The first step is to assess the condition of your photos. If they’re looking yellowed or faded, then they may be suffering from age-related discoloration. If they’re torn or creased, then those holes and wrinkles will only get worse over time. And if they’re sticking together in a big pile, well…you get the idea.
Once you’ve determined which photos need some extra TLC, it’s time to start handling them carefully. First, see if you can remove any dirt or debris by gently wiping them with a soft, dry cloth. If that doesn’t work, then you can try using a soft toothbrush—just be careful not to scrub too hard and damage the photo surface. If all else fails, then you can seek out a professional photography restoration company for help.
Storing Your Photos Properly
Once your photos are clean and free of debris, it’s time to start thinking about storage. If possible, keep them out of direct sunlight—UV rays can cause fading over time. Avoid extreme changes in temperature or humidity, as these can lead to warping and mold growth. And most importantly, don’t store them in an acidic environment (like an attic), as this will hasten their deterioration.
If you must store your photos in an attic or basement, then be sure to put them in archival-quality boxes or albums. These are made from materials that won’t damage your photos—unlike regular cardboard boxes or photo albums, which are often made with acidic materials that will shorten the lifespan of your prints.
You can find archival-quality storage materials at most craft stores or online retailers that sell photography supplies. Once you’ve got your storage sorted out, take some time to label each box or album so you’ll know what’s inside—trust me, it’ll save you a lot of headaches down the road!
Making Copies of Your Photos
Even if you take all of these steps to preserve your originals, it’s still a good idea to make copies—preferably digital ones. That way, even if something happens to your originals (like a fire), you’ll still have copies that you can access anytime, anywhere. You can scan your prints yourself using a flatbed scanner, or hire a professional scanning service to do it for you. Either way, be sure to save your digital files in multiple places (cloud storage and an external hard drive are both good options) so that you don’t lose them if one system fails.
Preserving your old photos may seem like a daunting task—but trust me, it’s worth the effort! By taking some simple steps now, you can ensure that your memories will be around for generations to come. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!