HELOISE: Good intentions damaged photos

Dear Heloise: One hint that appeared in your column was from a woman who was trying to preserve photos from her mom’s old photo albums. I applauded her project until I read the part about putting a label on the back of each photograph. Unfortunately, she left out how critically important it is to use archival-quality adhesives, ink, etc., with photos, old newsprint, etc.

When I put together my first photo album, I used the same materials I used at work in the office. Those commonly available glue, label and tape adhesives bled through to the front of my precious photos, as did ink. My mistaken good intentions damaged my photos far worse than age did, and in a much shorter amount of time.

When I looked into other options, it turned out that even good old paper and clear plastic sleeves can damage photos. When writing on a photo’s back lightly enough not to damage the front, plain pencil lead does a great job. If you look carefully enough at your office-supply store these days, you can find archival-quality (acid-free) materials that will preserve the beauty of your pictures.

Better still, before doing any physical preservation, scan the items electronically. It is a cheap and easy way to have electronic copies that won’t fade or be accidentally destroyed by floods, insects, etc. You can share them freely with family members on disk or online.

Annette O., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Here are some ways I have found to use dryer sheets:

Clean and polish ceiling fans. The dust simply clings to the sheet and doesn’t fall or fly away.

Wipe off bathroom mirrors.

Quick-clean countertops.

Use to scrub the tires on the car.

Liz, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Regarding whether restroom doors should open in or out so one doesn’t have to grab a dirty handle to get out, I find it crazy that I wash my hands and am then faced with a filthy handle when I leave.

Use a paper towel to hold the handle.

Use your elbow whenever possible.

However, for safety reasons, and in order to not be trapped in case of power loss or fire, I believe all doors should open out. And in the case of restrooms, I approach the exit door carefully, since one time I was about floored by someone rushing in and slamming the door inward.

Larry Foster, Mansfield, Ohio

Dear Heloise: My Sound Off is about those various ads some TV stations run across the lower third of the screen. While watching a good movie, I see people, animals, fireballs, etc., go across the bottom of the screen, and they are extremely annoying and distracting.

Z.H., Greenville, Texas

I couldn’t agree with you more!

Heloise

King Features Syndicate