Now that you’ve spent your time and money on a picture frame, it is important to understand how to avoid damaging your frame and photo. Although there are numerous ways a picture and frame can be ruined, avoiding damage to your new photo frame is simple.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 is impossible for you to avoid exposing your picture frame to direct sunlight, there are a couple of things you should 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 other thing to do is use UV glass or UV acrylic, which will significantly reduce the UV exposure to your picture. Although your picture will be protected, your frame may still 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.

Watch Out for Moisture

We are all aware of the damage that can be caused by flooding but have you ever thought of the damage that’s caused by steam?Photos and picture frames can be badly damaged by this type of moisture. Make sure you avoid displaying pictures in a hot steamy bathroom or in a kitchen next to a stove or kitchen sink. If you choose to display your photos in these high risk areas, be sure you have extra copies made of your important photos and only display them in an aluminum metal picture frame so it can’t be ruined by moisture. The best frames for moist areas are metal picture frames that are made out of aluminum and won’t rust.

Be wary of a picture frame with a sealed back.A sealed back can be either taped closed or glued shut with paper to give it a more finished look and help keep it clean and protected. 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 picture touches the glass continuously in high humidity, the picture can stick to the glass and be permanently damaged.Mats or spacers help keep the glass from resting on the photo and allow for air movement so the photo can never adhere to the glass.

Use Caution with Spray Cleaners

This may seem obvious, but there are many people who don’t realize the damage that can be done by spraying glass cleaner on the picture frame glass. Anytime you’re cleaning your picture frame, remove the picture from the frame if you plan to use a spray cleaner. 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 important tip to remember to avoid damaging your picture frame is never stack your picture frames without 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.

If you remember these tips for protecting your picture frames, you will never have the disappointment of a damaged frame or picture. Keep these tips in mind and you will have picture frames that retain their beauty and look good for many years.

Technorati Tags: , , ,