Make sure the environment where you want to view the papers is always clean and tidy. You won’t be the first to accidentally get stains on paper from things like food or drink. Also keep in mind that the oil from your hands can affect paper. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly beforehand and not to use hand cream afterward.
With papers, it is important to remove paperclips, staples, or other metal fasteners. This is to prevent rust stains from appearing on the paper. Plastic paperclips may be used as an alternative. In certain magazines, staples were used and, although they can rust, it is often better to leave them in place.
Letters and Posters
Always open papers carefully. If the paper is stubborn and brittle, let it acclimatize first in a quiet place where no direct sunlight can reach it (several hours up to a day). Papers such as posters or letters that have been folded for a long time should first be gently flattened. If the paper doesn’t cooperate or begins to tear, do not continue. Also use proper tools, such as a small spatula, to unfold folded corners.
With letters, always keep the original envelope with them, because it can be an important source later on. Keep a flap with a glue strip closed, because the glue can damage the letter over time. If possible, remove letters from the envelope, because in folded form, and through repeated inserting and removing, damage can occur. The paper is also more likely to tear at the folds.
Storage
A good place to store documents is somewhere with no direct sunlight, no dust or vermin, and where there is a constant temperature and humidity. Sunlight can cause photos or text to fade and yellow. In places where it is warm with high humidity, the acidity in objects can increase, causing them to age faster. Rooms that are too dry cause documents to dry out, making them brittle. The ideal condition for storing documents is around 18 degrees Celsius with a humidity level of 50 to 55 percent.
A good place to store documents is somewhere with no direct sunlight, no dust or vermin, and where there is a constant temperature and humidity. Sunlight can cause photos or text to fade and yellow. In places where it is warm with high humidity, the acidity in objects can increase, causing them to age faster. Rooms that are too dry cause documents to dry out, making them brittle. The ideal condition for storing documents is around 18 degrees Celsius with a humidity level of 50 to 55 percent.
Always use acid-free display sleeves or protective covers and, if necessary, lignin-free (wood-free) paper for storage. Polyester display sleeves are a good option for photos and letters, with about 0.5 cm space around the paper. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves are bad for documents because they emit acids that damage the paper. Multiple documents in one sleeve can be separated by lignin-free paper to prevent acid transfer. It is also possible to give paper a deacidification treatment.
Also, do not use cardboard folders that contain a lot of acids or lignin (wood-containing) to store papers.
Laminating a document should always be discouraged. The process is irreversible, and the treatment and used material can damage a document.
Molds and insects
When purchasing a new book from a flea market/basement, it is wise to check it for insects before placing it with other papers. If insects are found in papers, it is possible to seal the papers in a closed bag with an insecticide for a period of 14 days. Make sure there is no direct contact between the papers and the pesticide.
If papers have become wet, it is important to dry them as quickly as possible to prevent them from being affected by mold. This can be done by laying the wet area as open as possible with a fan placed nearby.