Before you polish grandma’s antique silver or refinish great aunt Martha’s armoire, STOP! Not only could reduce its value by doing that, but you could also speed its deterioration. The way we handle, display and store family heirlooms can make the difference in preserving them indefinitely or for only a few years.

Family heirlooms, such as photographs, family documents, clothing and other textiles, books, furniture, jewelry, metallic, ceramic and glass objects, require special handling to keep them in tip-top shape for future generations to enjoy.

Here are some tips to slow the deterioration process.

• Provide a stable environment where temperature and humidity don’t fluctuate. Deterioration progresses more quickly at higher temperatures, while humidity causes items to expand and contract. Don’t store heirloom items in basements, attics or garages. The ideal storage location is a closet located away from any exterior walls.

• Minimize light exposure. The UV rays in natural sunlight and fluorescent lighting create chemical reactions that cause photographs and textiles to fade and organic items such as wood furniture to deteriorate. Light damage occurs over time and is irreversible. Use incandescent lighting when possible, and keep items away from bulbs that generate heat.

• Reduce air pollution. Cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, cleaning agents and dust are all culprits in the deterioration process. Frequently clean or change the filters in your heating and air conditioning systems. Don’t display items near cooking areas, vents or windows.

• Protect items from insects and other pests. Rodents can spell disaster for almost any heirloom. Books are subject to lice infestation and wooden items invite termite invasion. While proper storage can help reduce pest problems, it’s important to check your collection annually. If you suspect a problem, isolate the object and contact a conservator for advice. 

• Never repair or refinish any object without first consulting an expert, such as a conservator or museum curator. Improper repairs can devalue an object.

• Avoid polishing metal objects and washing ceramic or glass ones. Over time, the finish is eroded, exposing the item to more rapid decay. For wood furniture, experts recommend using a good quality paste wax annually and dusting with a soft cloth.

• When storing family heirlooms, use archival quality, acid free boxes, mats, paper and other materials made from cotton (rag) or from purified wood pulp. Certain plastics, such as bubble wrap and magnetic photo pages, emit chemicals causing harm to the items they are near or are supposed to be protecting.

• Handle items carefully and with freshly cleaned or gloved hands. To avoid damaging items, remove any watches or jewelry before working with an artifact. Avoid leaving fingerprints on metallic items and touching the surface of a painting or photograph with your fingers, as the oil will attract dirt, which leads to tarnishing and cracking.

• For photographs, make a copy of the original for display and keep the original properly stored.

• Finally, develop good housekeeping practices, such as dusting items frequently with a soft cloth and vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a good filtration system.

• Family History is a regular feature in Our Town that shares tips, tools and techniques needed for individuals to research their family histories. Carole Merrill can be reached at TracyFHQuestions@aol.com.