Does anyone know how to tell...

[SamB]

If something is acid free or not? My sister passed away recently and her family has given me all her photo albums in hopes I'll be able to salvage them into something that will last and they can keep -- all are just stuck in old albums now and they are not in good shape. One of them is even her wedding album which I kind of hate to take apart to put into what I am sure is acid-free...she was married in 1970; does anyone know if "acid-free" was around then and/or how to tell if the album/pages are or aren't???

[kasiahbug]

I just posted some info on my blog that might help you with knowing what is acid free and not. Chances are pictures in that era are not acid free though.

[fabyon]

Sorry Angela I didn't check your blog so if I'm saying something you've already written forgive me.

I know of an acid detector pen that you touch to anything you want to find out is acid which can damage photograph. Let's not forget that the actually photo should touch the acidic item to be damaged in some way. So if something slightly acidic is well away from the picture and is not touching it won't actually damage the picture. That's my understanding so I do want to stand corrected on this though so please if you know otherwise please challenge me, I won't get offended ! LOL

[cardz for u]

If something is acid free or not? My sister passed away recently and her family has given me all her photo albums in hopes I'll be able to salvage them into something that will last and they can keep -- all are just stuck in old albums now and they are not in good shape. One of them is even her wedding album which I kind of hate to take apart to put into what I am sure is acid-free...she was married in 1970; does anyone know if "acid-free" was around then and/or how to tell if the album/pages are or aren't???

So sorry about your sister SamB. I know you must still be feeling very, very sad. I'll keep you and your sister's family in my prayers.

Fab is right, there is an acid detecting pen you can use to test for acid and a product called Archival Mist (think it's made by EKSuccess ?) that will take the acid out. It's a little expensive, but when it comes to precious documents and photos, it's worth it and a little does go a long way.

[kasiahbug]

There is also a spray by Kryon that does the same thing. There is a link to the spray on my blog. If I remember tomorrow, I will bring it here. The spray me be cheaper, but I'm not sure.

[Melanie]

I think Archival Mist is for de-acidifying papers and documents but not for use on your actual photos. You might want to go to their web site to verify this.

Also, some companies make little plastic acid-free envelopes in which to store things such as ID cards and post cards on your page (3L comes to mind, but I'm sure there are other manufacturers).

[kasiahbug]

Not sure about the spray - it doesn't say what it can be used on. I tried to see what info was on about it. Here are some reviews (http://www.ask.com/bar?q=can+krylon+make+it+acid+free+spray+work+on+p ictures&page=1&qsrc=2417&ab=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scrapfriends.us%2Fkrylon_acidfr ee.html) from users.

[Melanie]

Ok, here's the link to FAQ's about Archival Mist at EK Success' website: http://www.eksuccess.com/products_detail.php?product_id=2983&sess_id=0d696cae64975792e5da36672cf761be

It says that the product isn't intended for photos, but it won't hurt them either. The spray only works on porous surfaces and photo paper isn't porous like what cardstock, newsprint, or patterned paper is.

If you are concerned about your photos being acidic you could color-copy them onto acid-free paper. That way you could also correct any color changes that may have happened. Hope this helps!

[cardz for u]

Ok, here's the link to FAQ's about Archival Mist at EK Success' website: http://www.eksuccess.com/products_detail.php?product_id=2983&sess_id=0d696cae64975792e5da36672cf761be

It says that the product isn't intended for photos, but it won't hurt them either. The spray only works on porous surfaces and photo paper isn't porous like what cardstock, newsprint, or patterned paper is.

If you are concerned about your photos being acidic you could color-copy them onto acid-free paper. That way you could also correct any color changes that may have happened. Hope this helps!

Great idea, Melanie! :)