What to do with precious family photos that you can’t store in your home? Here’s how to properly archive old photographs to preserve them for future generations.
Family photos are the expression of a lifetime of sincere memories. Old pictures help us keep those memories close and share them widely, whether they are cute baby pictures, family portraits or spontaneous snapshots that highlight life’s milestones.
But, it can be hard to know what to do with the old photos that have accumulated at home over the years. Some of them can be incorporated into your decor, while others can be stored in albums to be seen on coffee tables. What about the photo collections you store in your drawers and shoeboxes? How do you store them to keep them safe and preserve the memories they contain?
Not to mention the fact that it would be heartbreaking to lose these physical reminders of our priceless experiences due to wear and tear from travel or poor organization. That’s why it’s essential to understand how to archive old photos to keep them safe for years to come.
Storing Old Photos: Best Practices
Photos are an important way to capture memories and immortalize them in time. They can be used to remember special moments or keep a precious record of family and friends, so it is essential to keep them well.
The following are the most important points to consider when storing photos:
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Ventilation: photos are protected from the growth of mold and other organic matter by maintaining a well-ventilated space with moving air.
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Temperature:
In general, a cold environment with a constant temperature is the ideal place to store photographs. The chemicals used to develop the images may be affected by storage temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which may result in discoloration. -
Moisture: especially if you plan to keep old photos in your attic or cellar, beware of moisture that can seep in. Photographs should be kept as dry as possible due to the risk of flooding and humidity.
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Light:
fading of photos can be caused by light, especially sunlight. Be sure to store your prints in a dark environment if you can’t enclose them completely.
Best places to store photos in the house:
If you have the space, keeping your family mementos, photos and other valuables at home also has the advantage of being convenient. But, where exactly should you keep them, and which place is better than another for storing photos?
Here are the do’s and don’ts for storing archived photos at home:
DO: place photos under the bed or in drawers, closets or cabinets. These areas, which are part of your living space, are probably more climate controlled than other parts of the house.
DON’T: Store photos in a basement, attic or garage where humidity and temperature change continuously with the seasons.
DO: Whenever you can, store images off the ground. Do not leave your photos on the floor to avoid possible flood damage, even if they are stored in storage compartments or a plastic bin.
AVOID : Keep photos near a heating or air conditioning vent. When your heater or air conditioner turns on and off, the temperature changes, which could distort the photos and damage them over time.
How to store old photos in a storage unit?
Photo collections are valuable and can, over time, take up a lot of space. To keep them in a safe place and to prevent them from being damaged by moisture or dust, it is important to know how to properly store old photos in a storage unit.
Is storing your photos in a storage facility the best solution for you? Here are the do’s and don’ts of storing archival photos in a storage unit.
DO: choose a storage facility with climate control. Optimal conditions for photo storage, it should be noted, are 75 degrees or less and low humidity.
DON’T: Spread old photos on the floor of a storage area, even if they are contained in plastic boxes or containers. Instead, consider raising the boxes off the ground in case of flooding with a metal stand or pallet.
DO: completely enclose all photos, whether they are in frames, boxes or other containers. This protects them from airborne moisture, strong lighting, direct sunlight and other potentially harmful elements.
Preparing your photos for storage: how to preserve old photos?
You should first take some precautions before deciding to store images of any kind in a storage unit. For example, rather than tossing them into your storage unit and calling it a day, you’ll want to arrange them in plastic sleeves, envelopes or photo storage boxes to preserve their quality.
What type of camera is ideal for storing photos?
A sealed, water-resistant exterior, such as plastic, with soft, yet rigid interior dividers to separate prints, makes the ideal container for storing printed images.
To avoid exposing your images to acids that may be present in other paper sources, National Archives preservation specialists advise using cotton or pure wood pulp materials. They also recommend using polyester film sleeves and wrapping the largest and most flexible prints for security.
Use these details as general guidelines! You can divide your items into sections using envelopes or file folders, and store them in a plastic bag or file box. You probably already have these items and won’t need to make any purchases.
Where should photo albums be stored when not in use?
Most of the guidelines also apply to the preservation of photo albums. You should look for a safe, dry space in your home with consistent temperatures and humidity levels. Extra closets and guest rooms are appreciated, but basements and garages are best avoided.
Self storage units are a safe place to keep photo albums, provided proper security measures are taken in advance. For storage, keep your photo albums and scrapbooks tightly packed in plastic or waterproof boxes, just as you would with real photos.
To conclude,
The art of photo storage is an important part of preserving memories. Not only does it protect photos from physical damage, but it keeps them organized and easily accessible. With a variety of options available, from digital to traditional, anyone can create a custom system that works best for them. With the right techniques and materials, photos can be safely preserved for years to come.
Remember, if you want to keep a large collection of real photographs or vintage photo albums in storage, consider hiring experts. Easystock offers convenient climate-controlled storage facilities in the major cities and metropolitan areas of Switzerland.
To learn more and find a storage unit near you, visit our website now.
