Emulsion cleaners and wipes are made from ingredients and materials safe to use on older photographs. They resemble normal cleaning wipes and spray cleaners, but use less harsh ingredients. Do not substitute cleaners. While getting specialized supplies is a hassle, it’s worth the extra cost to avoid damaging your photographs. Before you begin the cleaning process, back up your photos digitally. While proper cleaning minimizes the risk of damage, it does not completely eliminate it. [2] X Research source
Editing gloves are a type of glove designed to be used when working with film and photographs.
Blow or brush the photograph as long as is needed to remove any excess dirt or debris. It’s important you get any dust and dirt off before wiping down the photos. You do not want to get debris plastered onto the photos when wiping them down.
The precise instructions for using cleaning pads varies depending on the type of pad. You should always closely read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a cleaning pad.
It’s very important to keep the hairdryer a solid distance from the photograph to avoid heat damage.
If you purchased the image somewhere, the paperwork may inform you which side is the viewing glass. You can sometimes tell by examining the photo carefully. Photographers often used a black lacquer on one side of the glass to darken it. The image is found on the glass opposite the black lacquer. If you do not know for sure which side is the viewing glass, take your ambrotype to a professional. You can severely damage ambrotype pictures by cleaning the glass that contains the image.
You can find a professional in your area by searching online. If you can’t find one close by, see if you can find a professional you can work with long distance. Someone may be willing to mail your photos back and forth.
Very dirty cartes and cabinet cards may not come clean with compressed air alone. In this case, seek professional cleaning services.
If your photos are very old, consider professional storage. You can check online to find companies in your area that provide specialized storage for old, valuable photographs.
Stains can quickly be removed by running photographs under tap water or placing them in a pan of water briefly. Swish the photograph around to remove any stains.
It can help to have digital copies of your photographs. This way, if you want to look at old photographs, you can do so on screen to avoid handling them.
