How do you store old photos so they last for decades more?

Restoration can make an old photo sharp again on screen, but the physical print keeps aging. Taking good care of the original matters as much as restoring it.

Why old photos deteriorate

• Light: ultraviolet light fades dyes and yellows photo paper.
• Humidity: high humidity causes mold, makes prints stick together and leaves spots on the surface.
• Temperature swings: repeated heating and cooling curls the paper and cracks the image layer.
• Acidic materials: ordinary paper envelopes, glue and old self-adhesive ("magnetic") albums slowly damage photos.
• Fingers: oil and sweat from your hands leave fingerprints.

How to store physical photos

1. Choose the right spot: keep them out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, kitchens and bathrooms. Avoid damp basements and hot attics.
2. Control the environment: keep it as cool and stable as possible, ideally no warmer than 24 °C (75 °F), with relative humidity between 30% and 50%.
3. Use the right materials: choose albums, sleeves or archival boxes labeled "acid-free" and "PVC-free".
4. Handle with care: hold photos by the edges, and wear cotton or nitrile gloves if needed.
5. Photos stuck in old albums: don't pull them off; scan them together with the album page.
6. Writing on the back: don't use ballpoint pens or markers; write lightly with a soft pencil.

How to back up digital copies

• Scan early: every extra year in storage may add a little more damage. For how to scan, see "How should you scan or photograph old photos for the best restoration?"
• Name files consistently: for example, "1983-new-year-at-grandmas.png", so they're easier to find later.
• Use 3-2-1 backups: at least 3 copies, on 2 different types of storage (such as your computer and an external drive), with 1 kept off-site or in the cloud.
• Check regularly: open your backups once a year to make sure the files still open.

If a photo is already damaged

Don't wash moldy, stuck-together or badly damaged photos with water, or patch them with tape yourself. Scan them as they are first, then consult a professional photo conservator or archive. Digital restoration can improve how a photo looks on screen, but it can't repair the physical print.