Preservation guide · Updated September 30, 2026
How to preserve old family photos
Three fronts take care of a paper photo: where it is stored, how it is handled and a digital copy. This guide sums up what official conservation institutions recommend and takes you to the details.
Short answer
Store paper photos away from moisture and heat, in acid-free envelopes and boxes, and handle them with clean hands and gloves. Make a digital copy too: it lets you view and share the photo without touching the original. Damage that already exists can be treated in that copy, and the paper stays as it is.
Avoid
- Storing in a damp basement, a garage or a hot attic
- Adhesive tape, glue, and paper clips or staples that are not stainless steel
- PVC plastic or plastic of unknown origin
- Magnetic albums, with adhesive pages and a clear cover
In this guide
Store the paper
The National Archives (NARA) recommends storing away from damp basements, garages and hot attics, out of reach of leaks from pipes, windows and roofs, with relative humidity below 65% and temperature below 75 °F (about 24 °C).
The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) adds that light has a cumulative, irreversible effect on photographs, and that storage in a cool place is preferable.
The step-by-step, with what to avoid and what to prefer, is in the guide on how to store old photos.
Make the digital copy
NARA notes that scanning the originals lets you view and share the photos without handling them, and that handling can cause damage. The CCI also recommends a digital copy for fragile photographs.
With a phone or a flatbed scanner, the key is not to force the paper. The guide to scanning with your phone shows what the official PhotoScan help advises, and the digital album guide covers file names and backups.
Photos that are already damaged
Stains, scratches, fading and tears don't go away with proper storage: it only keeps the damage from advancing. In the digital copy, the restoration works on the image and the original paper stays as it is.
A photo with mold, wet or stuck together needs care: NARA advises calling a conservator when the problem can't be solved safely with proper storage and handling alone.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are old photos safe in a plastic album?
It depends on the plastic. NARA recommends avoiding unknown plastics and PVC, and magnetic albums with adhesive pages and a clear cover. It points to acid-free sleeves and envelopes made of stable plastics such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene.
Can I keep old photos in the attic or basement?
NARA recommends storing away from damp basements, garages and hot attics. The ideal spot keeps relative humidity below 65% and temperature below 75 °F (about 24 °C).
Does scanning the photo damage the original?
NARA says scanning lets you view and share without handling. The risk is in the handling: NARA does not recommend a sheet-fed scanner for fragile papers, and asks that the original be treated with care, whether you or a company does the scanning.
Is it worth restoring the photo before storing it?
The restoration is done on the digital copy, and the original paper stays as it is. You can store the original following the recommendations and keep the restored version to view, share and print.
When should I see a conservator?
NARA advises contacting a conservator if you can't solve the problem safely with proper storage and handling alone.
References
The facts cited in this guide come from the pages below. Pages read directly on Sep 30, 2026. The institution gives Fahrenheit; the Celsius figure is our conversion (75 °F ≈ 24 °C).
- National Archives: Storing family papers and photographs (opens in a new tab) · page last reviewed by the institution on Sep 18, 2025
- National Archives: Handling family papers and photographs (opens in a new tab) · page last reviewed by the institution on Sep 20, 2019
- National Archives: Digitizing family papers and photographs (opens in a new tab) · page last reviewed by the institution on May 26, 2021
- National Archives: Repairing damage to family papers and photographs (opens in a new tab) · page last reviewed by the institution on Jul 11, 2023
- Canadian Conservation Institute: Care of photographic materials (opens in a new tab) · page last reviewed by the institution on Dec 14, 2018
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