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How to Clean Old Print Pictures

How you clean your old photographs will vary considerably depending on the condition of the picture. If your old photograph is falling apart, it may be best to simply place it into a protective sleeve. However, if your old photograph is in solid condition and just requires some surface cleaning, you can do it at home quite easily. Whenever you are cleaning old photographs, use extreme care. In many cases, the negatives of the photo were lost long ago, meaning the picture you have is the only copy.

Things You'll Need

White cotton photographic lab gloves
Soft horse-hair paint brush (1 inch to 2 inches wide)
Emulsion cleaner
Microfiber lens cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Put on a pair of white cotton photo-lab gloves to prevent excess oil from your skin from contaminating the picture.
- 2
  Place the photo on a clean, dry surface. Make sure the surface is free of grease, household cleaners or other residue that could affect the picture.
- 3
  Clean away loose dust or dirt from the top of the photograph, using a soft horse-hair paint brush that is 1 inch to 2 inches wide and has not been used for painting. Start at the center of the picture and work toward the outside.
- 4
  Use a microfiber lens cloth to carefully remove any fingerprints or similar smudge marks that may be on the photograph. Use caution and bear down very gently, as you do not want to damage the picture.
- 5
  Apply a small amount of emulsion cleaner to a clean cloth and carefully clean the front of the picture. Allow the picture to dry, then place the picture in a frame or protective sleeve to prevent further damage in the future.

Photography