If you want to continue to enjoy your photo and picture frame for years, it’s important to know how to protect it from permanent damage.Although there are many ways you can ruin your photo and picture frame, there are four simple things you can do to keep your picture frame looking good for years.Many people don’t realize how easy it is to protect your pictures until it’s sadly too late. With these few important tips you can keep your frame and picture looking good for years.

Avoid Your Picture Frame From Getting Direct Sunlight

We all know the kind of damage the sun can do to your skin and your photos are no different.The sun’s UV rays can badly damage your photos so decrease the risk of fading and damage by preventing your frames from getting direct sunlight.

If it’s impossible for you to keep your picture frame away from direct sunlight, there are a few things you can do. The first thing would be to make a copy of your special photo so if the picture is damaged by sunlight you still have a good photo.The second thing you should do is use UV glass or UV acrylic which will dramatically reduce the UV exposure on your photo.Although your photo will be protected, your picture frame will still likely fade in the direct sunlight. Some of the frames most sensitive to fading are ones made out of natural materials like fabric, paper and wood picture frames. You should also be careful with stained or colored frames like red, green or blue picture frames.

Avoid Moisture

We all know about moisture damage caused by flooding, but have you considered damage caused by steam?Photos and picture frames can be badly damaged by this type of moisture. Be sure to avoid hanging your picture frames next to the kitchen sink or in a bathroom where it can get hot and steamy. If you choose to display pictures in these locations, be sure you have extra copies of your photos made and choose a frame that won’t get damaged by moisture. The best frames for moist areas are metal picture frames that are made out of aluminum and won’t rust.

Be cautious of picture frames with a sealed back.  A sealed back frame is either taped closed or has a paper glued to the back of the frame to protect it and give it a professional finish. A sealed back on a frame does not protect your photo but instead can damage it by trapping moisture inside.Moisture is naturally found in the air in the form of humidity.When the temperature outside the picture frame is different from that on the inside of the frame, moisture builds. If there is a sealed back on your picture frame, there is no way for the moisture to escape so it’s absorbed by your photo.

If you live in a climate with high humidity, you should consider getting some spacers or mats so your pictures will never get stuck to the glass.When a photo has consistent contact with the glass in high humidity, the photo can stick to the glass and become damaged. Spacers or mats keep the glass from resting on the picture and gives the picture some room to breathe.

Use Caution with Spray Cleaners

This may sound like an obvious suggestion, but there are many people who do not realize the damage that can be done to their photos by spraying glass cleaner on their picture frame glass.Anytime you’re planning to use a spray cleaner to clean your picture frame, always remove the photo first before cleaning. The sprayed liquid can seep under the glass and permanently stain your picture. If you don’t want to take the time to remove the picture, use a cloth with the cleaner instead of spraying the cleaner directly onto the glass.

More Frame Care Tips

Another tip to avoid damaging your picture frames is to never stack your frames without properly protecting them. If you are moving or need to store your frames, be sure to protect them with bubble wrap or thick towels.  Metal and wood picture frames are difficult to repair, so take extra precautions to properly protect them when storing.

By remembering these tips you can protect your picture frames and special photos so you’ll never have the disappointment of ruining something you love. Keep these tips in mind and you will have picture frames that retain their beauty and look good for many years.

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