The amount and quality of care that you give to a photo platter is very important. It helps to maintain their life span, memories and even turn it into a family heirloom. In this write up, we will take you through the best practices for cleaning, storing, and handling your photo platters. This will help you maintain their sheen for a very long time.
Cleaning Guidelines
Your photo platter doesn’t do well in harsh environments. So you need to be careful when using and cleaning it.
Daily Care
Handle with Care:
Always handle photo platters with clean, dry hands. Natural oils and dirt from your skin can transfer to the surface, which can damage the image or leave stains on it. When holding antique platters, use clean cotton gloves.
Support and Balance:
Support the platter with your hands when you hold it. Holding it on one edge puts stress on the material and leads to cracks or chips. When you use two hands to hold it, you distribute the weight evenly, which reduces accidents.
Clean Workspace:
Use a clean and dry environment when working with platters. Food and drinks can spill on the platter and contaminate it. Using an airy place that has little belongings will also reduce accidents.
Safe Cleaning Methods
Cleaning the right way will give you good results but being careless with this simple act can lead to mistakes.
Dust Removal: Remove dust and other dirts with soft materials. Canned air has harsh chemicals that can damage the image or leave residue.
Little Moisture: If the platter is very dusty, you can use a slightly wet cloth to clean it. Don’t apply soap to the platter directly.
In some cases, the chemicals may react with the platter material itself. Using plain water or very little mild soap solution will do the trick. Always test any cleaning method before using it on the platter.
Professional Assistance: For stubborn stains, get a professional or a specialist to work with it. Using DIY hacks on the stain will worsen the damage.
Practices to Avoid
Adhesives and Sticky Substances: Don’t use sticky substances on the photo platter. The gum on these things leave a residue that is difficult to remove. For some platters, trying to remove the residue can damage the image.
Harsh materials: paper clips and rubber bands shouldn’t be used on platters. Materials like scouring pads, steel wool aren’t good for the platter.
Storage Recommendations
Storing a photo platter is very important. Cleaning and storing gives you the best results. You can’t do one without doing the other. Both of them work together.
Consistent Temperature: Room temperature is the best temperature for your platter. Going below a temperature of 21°C will likely cause the print to crack or fall off.
Avoid Attics and Basements: Don’t store photo platters in attics, because of the summer heat. The basement is also not a good idea because of high humidity.
Heat Sources: Fireplaces, heating vents, and exposure to sunlight can cause fast temperature changes and quickly damage the print.
Humidity Management:
Cold places are humid and microbes love this kind of environment. Leaving your platter in a humid place will cause mold growth which will damage the print.
Proper Sealing: Windows and doors that are properly sealed will help with humidity levels.
Protection Measures
- Acid-Free Materials:
Don’t store photo platters in acid-free folders, boxes, or protective areas. Acid can cause the print over time.
- Floor Storage:
Platters that are kept on the floor aren’t well-maintained. The common cause of damage on the floor is spills and the occasional kicks. Insects also ruin the picture and even the platter.
Interior Rooms: Wardrobes and closets are in-built so they tend to regulate their temperature and humidity. Their stable condition makes them the first storage option for many people.
- Properly Filled Boxes:
Arrange the items you will keep in the box. Each of them should be placed neatly. Make sure every space is covered very well. This will reduce movement in the box. Bubble wraps and paper will also reduce its movement.
Additional Preservation Tips
- Make high-quality copies of the photo on the platter for frequent viewing. This will help preserve the original platter and reduce damage from regular handling.
- Inspect your photo platters occasionally for any signs of damage. This will reduce the level of damage and also cost of repair.
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