Game plan: "Prioritize, Supplies, Stabilize" (PSS)

  • Prioritize - identify your most treasured items, prioritize by fragileness and propensity to accelerated deterioration.

  • Supplies -purchase supplies needed for project. To get ideas consult our supplies page.

  • Stabilize - Follow the best practices and techniques featured below.

Best Practices
  • Wash your hands 
  • Keep a clean workspace
  • No food and drinks

Environment
  • Think about where you live and elements around you to tailor preservation approach 
  • Keep your home clean and dust free
  • Cool and dry are your best friends - keep out of hot attics and damp garages
  • Keep temperature and humidity steady
  • Don’t store items against walls that get hot/damp
  • Keep away from sources of leaks such as pipes and windows
  • Minimize sunlight and light exposure
  • Watch for evidence of mold and  pests- -frass, larvae, carcass
  • ​Freeze books to get rid of  insects -- donʻt forget to double bag it!
Paper
  • Remove fasteners - rubberbands, staples, paperclips
  • Arrange papers in acid free folders
Books
  • Purchase hardcovers with sewn binding if you want the book to last
Photographs
  • A relatively dry (30-40% relative humidity), cool (room temperature or below), clean, and stable environment (avoid attics, basements, and other locations with high risk of leaks and environmental extremes)
  • Minimal exposure to all kinds of light; no exposure to direct or intense light; use duplicate slides in light projectors
  • Distance from vents and windows
  • Protective enclosures within a box
Photoalbum/Scrapbooks
  • Scan your photo albums and scrapbooks
  • House your scrapbook in an archival box
  • If you must replace your photo album pages do not use self-adhesive magnetic pages, use acid-free lignin free paper instead
More to come
More to come