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Old photographs are treasures that can not be replaced. We use them so often that we forget that they require special care to keep them at their best for many years. Moisture, improper storage, and careless handling lead to early deterioration of these often priceless pieces. Here are solutions to some common problems with old photographs.
Cleaning Soiled Photographs
You Will Need:
- White cotton editing gloves
- Soft brush or canned air
- Towel
- Pec-12 Photographic Emulsion Cleaner
- Pec-Pads
The Cleaning Process:
- Lay the towel flat and place your picture on top.
- Use the editing gloves while you handle the picture.
- Use the soft brush to gently brush the dirt off of the picture. Start in the center and work your way to the outer edges. You can also use canned air (the kind used to clean computer keyboards) to blow the dirt off of the picture.
- If there is residue built up or old adhesives, you will need to continue with great care to remove it without damaging the picture.
- Use the Pec-Pads to apply the Pec-12 cleaner to the picture following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- When you have cleaned the photographs to your satisfaction, store them in appropriate displays for protection in a dry environment.
Cleaning Old Negatives (Film or Glass Plates)
You Will Need:
- Pressurized or canned air
- Soft Brush
- Lint-free cloths
- Isopropyl Alcohol
The Cleaning Process:
- Lay the cloth flat on a soft surface and place your negatives on top.
- Begin by blowing off dust with the pressurized can of air. You can also brush them off with a soft brush, but be very careful not to scratch them.
- Wrap a cloth around your finger and moisten with a small amount of alcohol.
- Gently wipe the negatives with the alcohol to remove remaining build-up. Start with the least important picture to make sure no damage occurs.
- This should effectively remove grease and mildew without damage.
- NEVER use water on the emulsion side as it can damage it permanently.
- If you are unable to remove the dirt or are concerned with damaging them, do not hesitate to have a professional clean and restore them for you.
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Additional Tips and Advice
- NEVER apply any liquids such as window cleaner or water as they can cause more damage when they mix with the dirt.
- It’s recommended to make a high quality negative or scan each picture before attempting any cleaning. This provides a back-up should things go awry.
- Some old pictures can be submerged in water and carefully washed. This method is not intended for delicate photos and should be used only if you are sure the photograph can withstand it.
- If the picture has great sentimental value or you are unable to remove the dirt yourself, do not hesitate to have it repaired by a professional.
- If you have the resources, consider scanning the picture and fixing the imperfections with photo software. Many have had success reproducing a quality photo that will last for many years.
- Always handle prints only by their sides to prevent adding fingerprints to the surface.
- If your photographs have become adhered to another material (another picture, envelope, etc.), contact a professional for guidance on the best removal procedure.
Isopropyl alcohol worked for me to clean an old photograph.
I have a Olan Mills family portrait. It is in its late 30’s. Somebody stuck it in the shed, and now it has mold and mildew on it. How would I get this off?
Kathy,
Get a box that is larger than the picture and sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the bottom of the box. Put a baking rack over the baking soda. If you don’t have a cookie rack, you can just set a couple glasses or bowls in the box and then lay the picture across the top of the rack or glasses so that it is raised up off the baking soda. Close the box and leave it for 24 hours. If possible, put the box somwehere dry, but do not bring it in the house as you don’t want to spread the mold/mildew spores inside. The baking soda will dry out the mildew so that it can easily be removed.
After 24 hours, open the box and gently brush off the mildew using a soft paintbrush if possible or if you don’t have a paintbrush, a soft cloth can work too. The mold should easily brush off. If it doesn’t, put it back in the box. You are waiting for the mold to turn into a powder. Add more baking soda to the box if needed, or use a DampRid container instead of baking soda. If it is raining or snowing outdoors or otherwise very humid, you may need to bring the box into the house to put it somewhere the mold can adequately dry out. Just be sure to keep the box closed while in the house so the spores are contained.
If there is any staining that remains from the mold, cleaning the picture using the methods in the article. Good luck!
Source: Image Master Photo Repair – Destroy & Prevent Photo Mold & Mildew
Source: The New Orleans Conservation Guild, Inc. – Is your artwork wet or damaged? Here’s what to do.
Hello,
I have some old glass negatives. How can I take care of them (store and cleaning)? Also, how can I scan them?
I need to know specifically about removing what appears to be rust spots on an 80-year old photo in an oval frame without any glass to protect it.