Storing Photographs In Attic

Keep the temperature below 75 degrees fahrenheit f.

Storing photographs in attic.

If you re storing any flammable chemicals whether they re used for cleaning photography or home repair you re going to want to keep them out of your attic. Andrzejsowa getty images old photos documents books newspapers magazines artwork and paintings are all off limits for the attic garage or basement. Objects made of wood which will rot from moisture leather natural components like hair or ivory and fabric. Therefore don t keep them in the garage attic or basement.

These items are negatively affected by heat humidity bugs and even light. If the gelatin gets too warm or humid it melts and the photos will stick together or deteriorate. Heat can cause paint to crack and expand or contract on paintings. Photos and papers they will all eventually deteriorate says carter.

Heat can damage things such as photographs and wood. Flammable or hazardous items should not be stored in the attic with extreme temperatures. Use the attic to store anything that is impervious to heat. Here are some do s and don ts of storing antique photos in your home.

Storing your family keepsakes at home has the benefit of easy access. Storing photos in a dark location actually helps preserve them because it keeps the ink or pigments from fading. What not to store up above. Store items at a low temperature and a low relative humidity different storage conditions changed how these two photographs aged.

The best places to store photographs in your home are under your bed or in your closet. The lower the temperature the longer your items will last because cooler temperatures slow the rate of chemical decay and reduce insect activity. We ve all seen sun faded photos before such as those that have been out in frames for years so you know that fading is a real issue. Store photos in a basement attic or garage where temperatures and humidity fluctuate with the change of seasons or reach extreme highs.

Not too hot cold wet or dry. Store photos in closets cabinets or under the bed. Framing your old photos. Tuck the photos inside pvc free plastic sleeves and use archival quality paper boxes.

The temperature variations most attics experience can damage old photographs and film. Instead store printed photos in a dry spot where the temperature doesn t fluctuate as much such as in a bedroom closet or under the bed. Light in general but especially uv and fluorescent lights break down images with time. Storing items in your attic is far more preferable than storing them in the basement where they may get wet think about flooding or garage where they are exposed to the elements.

Also never use an attic for safeguarding photographs as they are particularly sensitive to the harsh conditions.