
Archival all the way That musty cabinet will wreak havoc on your photographs’ quality. Invest in high-quality archival boxes to store photographs in. Archival boxes offer protection from dust and UV light damage, and they keep pests away. You can also buy packets of silica gel to remove any excess moisture from the box. To ensure that your photographs are preserved, choose boxes, folders, and envelopes that have passed the Photographic Activity Test—this means that the materials can safely store photographic prints over a long time without causing damage to the prints. When your heirloom photos have been individually enclosed in acid-free paper or plastic sleeves, they can be placed in the archival boxes. Store photos of the same size together and use dividers or buffered file folders to organize and separate the different sizes and keep them upright on their longest (horizontal) sides. Mind your storage area The area where your photo box is stored should be in a temperate zone in your house, somewhere that’s not too wet, not too dry, not too hot, and not too cold. It should be free from humidity, so flood-prone basements and musty attics are a no-no. Humid areas are prone to mold and mildew growth, and you don’t want these destroying your photographs. An ideal spot is an interior closet that’s cozy in cold weather and cool in summer. Make sure the area is clean and free from insects and away from the AC or heating vent.
As you can see, preserving old photos isn’t difficult; you just have to remember these three solutions. Good luck and we hope you enjoy preserving your heirloom photographs!