How to Save a Wet Photo Album

Last Updated: April 13, 2022 References Approved

Photograph albums are often among our most treasured possessions. And what can you do if your photo album gets wet? Don't panic--here are some things to try.

Steps

1
Remove the photos from the album. If possible, gently remove the photographs from mountings or sleeves.^{[1]
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Research source} If the photograph threatens to tear, stop. Instead, dry the photographs in place keeping the leaves of the album as open as possible.
2
Gently dry the photos. The first thing to do after getting them out of the album is to dry them. The preferred method is to hang them on a line - this allows gravity to work on them best. The water runs down on the page (hang them from a corner, one clip only) toward the point, and keeps the paper from warping as the water's weight allows the top part to dry first, keeping downward pressure on the drying paper.
- If you can't hang them, they will dry fine on an absorbent material such as a kitchen or paper towel, although they may be more prone to buckling here and there (harmless).^{[2]
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- Do not blot as it could damage the surface.
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3
Soak any photos that are stuck together. Water will not harm most photographs, as exposure to water is actually part of the chemical development process for conventional photographs. If photographs have stuck together: soak the photographs for at least an hour in lukewarm water. Gently peel apart.^{[3]
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4
Soak any photos drenched with a sticky or other liquid. If the album was wet by another liquid: You may be able to clean off the substance by soaking and gently drying the photograph as above. Some liquids, like coffee, tea, grape juice, wine, and the like, may not come off very easily, however.^{[4]
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5
Consult a professional. Nothing worked? The photographs were damaged? A professional photography restoration may be necessary. You can find these services through professional photographers, antique restoration professionals, and sometimes through colleges and universities.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

Question

Photo albums were in current Louisiana flood. The pictures are in plastic sleeves; when we tried to remove a picture, it smeared. How do we remove the pictures without damaging them? We have hundreds.

Rich

Community Answer

Try letting them sit in the sun for some time to reduce all moisture and carefully peel the plastic off.