While most of us possess hundreds, if not thousands, of digital photos, most people still have countless printed photographs lying around the house.
In order to preserve these precious memories, it helps to know how best to organize and store them so that you and your family can keep them safe and easily accessible. It would be such a shame to lose family photos that have been passed down through the generations, which is why proper storage is so important.
Below are some dos and don’ts for organizing and storing your printed photos.
Do keep climate in mind when choosing a storage space. Spaces such as basements and attics that experience major fluctuations in temperature are not the right places to store photos. Instead choose closets or cabinets that are in climate-controlled areas of your home.
Don’t store photos on the ground. Elements like water become a concern when you store your photos on the ground. Plus, there is a much higher chance of them getting damaged by falling objects, people, pets or pests.
Do keep your photos properly enclosed. Dust, sunlight, and pests can all damage your photos if they are not properly enclosed in a box, frames or plastic folders.
Don’t forget to use dividers. Once photos start aging, they can start sticking together, which leads to permanent damage once you need to pull them apart. While it might seem like extra work, place non-acidic dividers in-between your photos to prevent this from happening.
Do get rid of adhesives. If you have any photos that are stored in albums that require adhesives, it’s best to remove them and place them in an album that contains acid-free sleeves or protectors to prevent damage in the long run.
Do organize photos according to dates and events. In the same way that you file your digital photos according to year, month, and event, do the same with your printed photos so that you can easily find what you’re looking for. Stick an inventory list on the front of each photo box for ease of reference.
Spending time organizing and storing your photos may not seem like the ideal way to spend a weekend, but you will certainly thank yourself for it later.
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