How to store old photos
Old photos deteriorate mostly because of light, damp, heat and the materials that touch them. Here is the storage advice archivists commonly give, easy to put into practice at home.
Where should you keep old photos?
In a lived-in room that stays dry and cool, away from light, such as a cupboard on an inside wall. Lofts, garages and cellars are best avoided: heat, damp and their swings are the main causes of damage.
Keep them away from radiators, windows and cold outside walls too. Stability matters most: a room with moderate, constant conditions is better than a spot that changes with the seasons.
What should you store photos in?
Boxes and sleeves made for photographic archiving, acid-free and PVC-free. Archival suppliers and specialist shops sell them; look for wording that says they are suitable for photographs.
Store prints upright or flat depending on size, not packed tightly, and give fragile ones their own sleeve or interleaving sheet. Large prints are generally better stored flat.
- Archival photo boxes and sleeves (acid-free, PVC-free)
- One sleeve per fragile or precious photo
- Large prints flat, with nothing heavy on top
- No ordinary envelopes or damp shoeboxes
What should you avoid with old photos?
Sticky tape, glue, rubber bands, paper clips and so-called ‘magnetic’ albums with self-adhesive pages. Over time these stain, warp or bond to the paper.
Don't write on the back in ballpoint or felt pen: the ink can show through or bleed. A soft pencil, pressed lightly near the edge of the back, is the usual practice.
How should you handle an old photo?
With clean, dry hands, holding it by the edges and never touching the image. Cotton or nitrile gloves are often recommended for fragile items.
Never clean a photo with water or a household product; a soft brush is enough for dust. If a photo is stuck to glass, to another photo, or badly damaged, don't force it: ask a professional conservator or your local record office for advice.
Should you take photos out of old albums?
Not necessarily: if the album is in good condition and the photos lift off easily, you can leave them. If the pages are yellowing, sticky or crumbling, moving the photos into archival sleeves is usually the better choice.
If a photo resists, leave it where it is and digitise it in the album. The album itself, with its captions and order, also tells a story, so photograph whole pages before taking it apart. See scanning photos with your phone.
Does digitising replace proper storage?
No, it complements it: a digital copy saves the original from handling, but the original remains the best source. Once it is digitised, put the print away and look at the file instead.
The file then needs backing up in several places; the method is in backing up family photos. And if a print is already yellowed or faded, the digital copy can be restored without touching the original.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep photos on display in a frame?
Yes, but light fades them over time. Display a copy if you can, and keep the original stored in the dark.
My photos are stuck together. What should I do?
Don't pull them apart, or you may tear off the image. Ask a conservator or an archive service, who can tell you whether they can be separated safely.
Can a restored copy replace a damaged original?
For display and sharing, yes. But keep the original: it is still the reference document. A restored copy can be printed and framed in its place; see framing an old photo.