Scrapbook Preservation: Temperature & Relative Humidity

It may be instead of preserving your memories you are contributing to their deterioration. You need to provide a friendly environment for your family treasures to be stored in. Nearly everyone has a collection of documents and photographs yet few of us know much about their care and preservation. As scrapartisits we should educate ourselves on the basics. Do your scrapbooks a favor by taking a look at the ideas in our “Preserving Your Scrapbooks” blogs and perhaps lengthen the life of some of your family heirlooms.
We all know that ‘temperature’ is the measurement of hotness or coldness in the environment. Another important consideration for the environment in which you store your albums is ‘relative humidity’ which means the percentage of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount the air can hold at that temperature.
High temperature and relative humidity will cause the fibers in paper and the emulsions in photos to absorb excess moisture from the air which stimulates water based chemical reactions. Paper and photos exposed to these conditions become damaged.
Low temperature and relative humidity stimulate the fibers in paper and the emulsions in photos to release water vapors which cause the paper and photos to deteriorate.
Extreme fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity are detrimental because they cause the fibers in papers and the emulsions in photos to swell and contract. These fluctuations create physical stress on the paper and photos causing deterioration.
Moderate temperatures and relative humidity are beneficial to the preservation of paper and photos as they create conditions that are stable.
The optimum temperature and relative humidity in your storage or display area should be 65-68 degrees fahrenheit and 45-50% humidity. The level of relative humidity can be determined by using a humidity indicator card which is sold on our web site for only $1. These cards contain chemicals which change color to indicate whether your conditions are dry, normal or humid. If your space is too humid you can use a de-humidifier or if too dry a humidifier and re check the levels with another card. Or, if that is not an option consider relocating your albums.
In addition, Silica Gel Canisters should be placed near, but not in direct contact with paper and photos to absorb potential excess moisture produced by high temperatures and relative humidity. Silica Gel Canisters can be purchased on our website for $8.99 each and will last a lifetime with proper care. They are reusable and easy to use.

Tuttle, Craig A.

An Ounce of Preservation.

Florida: Rainbow Books, 1995.

Next weeks blog: Where not to store or display your albums

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