Nearly everyone has something they want to preserve, whether it be of monetary, historical or

Nearly everyone has something they want to preserve, whether it be of monetary, historical or sentimental value. Audrey John of the Niles Historical Society offers these tips for preserving items safely:
Light: Natural light will accelerate the deterioration of many artifacts. In general, the brighter the light, the greater the destruction. Placing items out of direct sunlight is necessary. Use blinds and shades to restrict the amount of light.
Humidity and temperature: Humidity is one of the most destructive agents and one of the most difficult to control. Low levels of humidity dry out artifacts such as furniture, paper and paintings. High humidity can lead to mold growth. Temperatures should be kept as constant as possible; 68 to 70 degrees is recommended. Storing items in an attic or basement is not recommended; a better place is a first-floor closet.
Dust and dirt: Accumulation of dust and dirt should be avoided whenever possible. Smoke from a fireplace, tobacco smoke and smoke from food preparation can be very damaging.
Handling: A great deal of damage to artifacts comes from improper handling. Don't treat the items as functional objects. Daily wear will destroy items. Use cotton gloves when handling artifacts. The acid and oils on hands can corrode metal items and textiles.
Mounting and framing: Paper products that aren't acid-free, adhesives and wood products can pose a real threat to certain artifacts. Lamination can destroy an item because of the glue and heat used in the process. Sealing pictures in mylar with double-faced tape or using polyethylene sleeves gives better protection.
Textiles: Keep light levels low when displaying these items. Never display a quilt by nailing it to the wall. Create a muslin sleeve and attach it by hand to the back of the textile to be mounted. Insert a curtain rod or other aluminum tube through the sleeve for mounting. Most all-cotton items can be washed with special non-ionic soap and rinsed several times, while most other items should be dry cleaned. Store items in acid-free boxes with acid-free tissue paper or wrap them in unbleached, desized, 100-percent cotton muslin. Never use adhesive tape to repair items.
Newspapers/books: These are best preserved by making a copy of the articles. The acid in newspapers will cause the paper to turn brown and become brittle. Never use adhesive tape to preserve damaged pages in a book, since the glue will eventually eat a hole through the page. Scanning items to copy the original is a good way to display the item; keep the original in safe storage out of the light.