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Slowing the March of Time:
Preserving and Protecting Items of Personal and Historical Significance
Specific storage ideas to conserve your keepsakes:
CD - Being a new format, not much is
known for sure, so follow record information.
Computer
diskettes - Keep away
from magnetic and electrical fields, discard any plastic sleeves
- store in acid free sleeves.
Flat
paper (loose materials)
- Store flat when possible, interleave with acid free paper (acid
can migrate), place in
acid free (clearly labeled with pencil or
waterproof ink) folders, then in
acid free boxes (file cabinets
are OK - just don't overfill, or leave ajar drawers, etc.)
Rolling may become necessary for large items. Do not roll too
tightly - roll around at least a 4" diameter tube, wrapped
in archival paper or polyester film jacket and secured with
un-dyed fabric tape or cloth.
Furniture - Use as little as possible and keep
joints tight, cover surfaces if possible (chair cushions, etc.),
if finish is worn, take action. Try to keep clean without
cleaning products - dust often, use damp cloth, etc.
Housewares - Pack with acid free paper or clean
cloth, if displayed, do so with proper support in enclosed space
(china cabinet, etc.).
Jewelry - Place in lined boxes, monitor
condition and keep in good repair, remember, body oil speeds
tarnish. (Pearls - massage with mineral oil annually)
Magnetic
tape (cassettes) - Keep
away from magnetic and electrical fields, dust, heat and high RH,
keep playback machine in top order to avoid stretching.
Microfilm/fiche - If converting items to information:
choose a polyester base format (most stable). Never use rubber bands for
securing (cut acid free paper strips to wrap
around), store on plastic reel in
acid free boxes/sleeves, if
possible store in metal filing cabinets. If film has picked up a
vinegar smell, it is chemically deteriorating - isolate, because
it can spread. Look into re-filming or professional restoration -
lower temperature and RH can slow the process but not stop it.
Motion
pictures - Store at a
lower temperature & RH (40F-25-40 RH), in filtered area free
of dust, lint, etc. Store in vented polypropylene or high
quality, vapor permeable cardboard containers. Only show prints -
do not project originals.
Photos - RH ideal 35% - though this could
be harmful to other keepsakes. Storage in paper or plastic has
pros & cons. For plastic use uncoated polyester,
polyethylene, polypropylene or cellulose triacetate, non-buffered
(to promote acid transfer from photos),
acid free paper for color, cyanotypes or albumen prints. Use
buffered paper for early safety film negatives brittle prints or
mounts. Ideally only handled with lintless cotton or nylon
gloves. Do not roll or crease, never use paper clips, adhesives
(even post-its) or staples.
WARNING: plastic film negatives from
1890-1950 may have nitrate film. These should be separated from
other items. As cellulose nitrate deteriorates, it becomes highly
combustible. No easy way to tell, contact professional if you
suspect some of your collection.
Records - store vertically, don't touch
surface - direct sunlight or overheating can cause warping.
Textiles - Only hang very light items without
support. Store clothing & linens in boxes, interleaved with
acid free paper or clean cloth. Wish to hang a tapestry? Mount as
you would a painting. Consult a dry cleaner that specializes in
preserving wedding dresses.
Video - being inherently impermanent it
will deteriorate over time. Keep away from magnetic and
electrical fields, don't touch tape directly, keep in storage
containers, and go easy on the fast forward & reverse.
Copyrighted work - reprinted here with permission.
Free information provided for your research knowledge.
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