Proper Storage Conditions for Old Documents and Photographs

Old documents and photos give you a chance to know about your ancestors. They provide information regarding the different transitions your family lineage has gone through. When it comes to photographs, you have an idea of what your great grandparents look like. If you want to pass on these ancient photos and papers to your children as well, you need to preserve them properly to make them last.

Compared to other elements, humidity and temperature affect old papers and photos more. So, they should be kept within room conditions that do not go above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the relative humidity should be below 50%. The most common factors that lead to quick deterioration are high temperatures and high humidity. On the other hand, ancient photographs are easily damaged by cyclic conditions. Extreme heat followed by dry and cold weather and back again destroys film emulsion due to cracking and separation from the support.

If your basement or attic does not have proper insulation, do not store your old photos and documents there. Intense differences in temperature, like 125 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and below 0 degrees in winter, are common in attics. On the other hand, basements are typically moist. This is especially true if the place is not insulated well. This underground room is also a good breeding area for rodents and insects, which are easily drawn to the cellulose and gelatine found in photo emulsion.

The best storage place for important documents and photographs is a vault or safety deposit box in banks. You can also install your own safety box in your home. The appropriate condition should be 68-2 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity of 50-5%.