To start, store your albums properly. Both albums and the
photos they contain fare best in an environment that a human being
would find comfortable: not too cold, not too hot, not too damp,
and no big swings in temperature or humidity. This means that
garages, basements, and attics typically are poor places to store
photos. A better location is under a bed, in a suitable box.
The best container for storing albums is a sealable,
high-quality plastic box. In the long run, this type of box
protects albums better than cardboard boxes, even ones labeled as
"archival."
For both storage boxes and album components (such as
transparent page covers), it's crucial to avoid PVC plastics at
all costs. PVCs tend to break down over time, depositing harmful
substances on albums and photos. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to
identify PVC products: when new, they smell just like a brand-new
shower curtain.
Andover Photo stocks a wide range of items for photo
preservation and storage.
Special thanks to our hosts from the George Eastman
House -- Roger Watson, assistant director of museum studies, and
Laura Brown, faculty in museum studies.
Andover Photo - Picture The Memories!
