How to store and care for old photos
Updated 13 October 2026 · UnBlur AI guides · 6 sources
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- Cool, dry and stable is the goal; relative humidity matters most for most prints. 1
- Avoid attics, basements, garages and exterior walls, where heat, damp and leaks are likely. 1,2
- Use enclosures and boxes that pass the Photographic Activity Test (PAT), and avoid "magnetic" self-adhesive albums. 1
- Display copies, not originals: light fades photographs. 3
To store old photos safely, keep them somewhere cool, dry and stable inside your living space, in photo-safe sleeves or folders inside photo-safe boxes, away from light. Handle them by the edges, label them with a soft pencil on the back, and display copies instead of originals. These steps, all drawn from library and archive guidance, slow down the fading, yellowing and brittleness that ruin family photos.
Temperature and humidity
The Library of Congress calls a good storage environment arguably the most important preservation measure for photographs: relatively dry (30 to 50% relative humidity), cool (70°F or below) and stable 1. Relative humidity is the single most important factor for most prints, and it should not swing much from day to day 1.
| Guidance | Temperature | Relative humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Library of Congress, ideal for photographs 1 | 70°F or below | 30–50% 1 |
| National Archives, family collections 2 | below 75°F | below 65% (mold risk above), not below 15% (brittleness) 2 |
| Color photos and film negatives 1 | 40°F or below recommended | with special packaging |
For most families, a closet in the main living area meets the National Archives range. Color prints, slides and negatives are the most vulnerable: the National Archives notes they can fade and deteriorate within decades at room temperature, and that cold storage can slow this but requires special packaging 2.
Where not to store photos
- Attics and garages (heat and temperature swings) and basements (damp and floods) 1,2.
- Along exterior walls, near vents, fireplaces and radiators 1.
- Near pipes, windows or known roof leaks; keep boxes on a shelf, off the floor 2.
- Near food, which attracts insects and rodents 2.
Sleeves, folders and boxes
Photos should sit in protective enclosures, such as folders or sleeves, inside boxes. To count as photo-safe, materials should pass the Photographic Activity Test (PAT) described in ISO 18902; suppliers usually say so 1. Materials that fail can cause fading, yellowing, silver mirroring and brittleness 1.
- Paper enclosures block light, breathe and can be labeled in pencil 1.
- Plastic enclosures should be uncoated polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene. Photo surfaces can stick to plastic in high humidity, so do not use plastic in damp, uncontrolled spaces 1.
- Boxes should fit the photos without bending them, and not be overstuffed 2.
- Negatives are best kept separate from prints, because some give off harmful gases as they age 1.
Albums
Many albums sold today use photo-safe materials. Avoid albums with colored pages or "magnetic" or sticky self-adhesive pages 1. If your family already has photos in old magnetic albums, do not tear them out; see digitizing a family photo album for how to capture them where they are.
Handling and labeling
- Work with clean hands or nitrile gloves; fingerprints can permanently stain photographs 1,4.
- Hold photos by the edges and keep food and drink away 1.
- Label on the back, near the edge, with a soft graphite pencil, or better, label the sleeve 1.
- No paper clips, rubber bands, tape, sticky notes or glue 1.
Display copies, not originals
All light, visible and ultraviolet, causes fading. The National Archives recommends displaying copies and keeping originals in a box. If you do frame an original, use UV-filtering glass or acrylic, a mat that passes the PAT, and keep it out of sunlight and fluorescent light 3. A good scan makes a fine display print; see how to scan old photos properly.
When to call a conservator
If a problem cannot be solved by better storage and handling, such as photos stuck together, mold, or prints in pieces, a conservator can help. Wet or insect-infested items need quick action 5. The American Institute for Conservation maintains a directory of conservators by specialty and location 1. For emergencies, see repairing water-damaged photos.
Digital copies are a second safeguard
Scanning your collection protects the images if the prints are ever lost, but it does not replace good storage; the National Archives advises keeping originals after digitizing 6. Once you have scans, you can restore faded or damaged copies without touching the prints; see how to restore old photos.
Common questions
Is a basement or attic OK for old photos?
No. Archives advise against both: attics get hot and basements damp, and both raise the risk of fading, mold and water damage. 1,2
What does PAT mean on photo storage products?
It stands for Photographic Activity Test, part of ISO 18902. Materials that pass it are considered safe to store photographs in. 1
Should I wear cotton or nitrile gloves?
The Library of Congress suggests clean hands or clean nitrile gloves, and handling photos by the edges. 1
Sources and further reading
- Library of Congress, Preservation. Care, Handling, and Storage of Photographs. loc.gov
- U.S. National Archives. Storing Family Papers and Photographs. archives.gov
- U.S. National Archives. Displaying Family Papers and Photographs. archives.gov
- U.S. National Archives. Tips for Handling Family Papers and Photographs. archives.gov
- U.S. National Archives. Repairing Existing Damage to Family Papers and Photographs. archives.gov
- U.S. National Archives. Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs. archives.gov