Today you can find a wide number of materials to create your scrapbooks from. How do you know which one to choose? Literally, there are hundreds or maybe even thousands of different types to choose from. If you wish to safe keep your treasure for as long as possible there are some things that you should keep in mind when selecting your album.

Although your scrapbook album is primarily providing protection for your cherished memories, they themselves will often show their wear and tear long before you believe them to be due. Here, I hope to save you some time and grief by outlining some fundamental scrap booking album care.

Extreme temperatures can actually cause damage to your scrap book album. If the temperature is too low, it can moisten the album. The same goes for if the temperature is too high. Moisture is an evil doer when it comes to scrap bookers! Keep in mind that direct sunlight will almost surely cause your colors to fade away. Therefore, be sure to remember these facts when you are choosing where to store your masterpiece. Keep them in a dry place with moderate temperatures.

Incorrect storage of your negatives, printouts, layouts, and materials can cause them to end in tearing, scratches, and bends. This will very much affect the longevity of them, so store them in their own sturdy containers or acid-free envelopes.

Oily hands may not be something that someone thinks of as destructive. Yet, by handling your precious photos and materials repeatedly with sweaty, dirty, or oily hands you can bet that it will affect how long they are going to stay in top shop. Frequently wash your hands, or use an acid neutralizing wash on them. Better yet, use some kind of cloth gloves and/or be very careful not to touch the face of your pictures with your hands.

It should go without saying, but keep your work area free of any liquids. Everyone knows this about keyboards and such, yet it is amazing how many pictures and scrapbook materials are ruined from accidents. You sure don’t want your materials to become soaked through with sweet tea!

Polyester and acrylic materials are much safer for your sealers and protectors. This is because many plastics used can deteriorate your memorabilia and photos overtime more so than if they had been left unprotected. Vinyl plastics have an ingredient in them called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is an unstable substance and can cause your precious items to corrode over time.

As with the protection you choose, there are good and bad papers as well. Always try to find acid-free papers. Keep in mind that the darker colors can often have more acid because of the pigmentation and die used in creating them. Check the label and ensure you are buying paper that is not acidic.

Probably, the most vivid evidence that acid levels are important can be in old newspapers that have turned to a yellowish color. If you don’t want to take a chance on your scrapbook being damaged over time as the old newspapers, be careful in your selection of materials. Stay away from acidic papers, and vinyl plastic covers.

I am sure there are many other hints and helpful ways to help retain the look and feel of your memories, but I hope that these have given you some insight to a few that you had not thought of.