Within the walls of our homes lie family treasures—artifacts of history, memory, and identity passed down through generations. Family heirlooms are more than mere objects; they are tangible links to our past, embodying stories, traditions, and the essence of who we are. Whether it’s a delicate piece of jewelry worn by a great-grandmother, a weathered photograph capturing a moment in time, or a cherished piece of furniture that has witnessed decades of family gatherings, each heirloom carries with it a rich tapestry of memories and significance. However, keeping these in any area of your home may not be realistic, especially if you’re short on space. To help, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to storing and preserving family heirlooms.
10 Tips for Storing Family Heirlooms
To help keep your heirlooms in the family for generations, consider the following expert tips.
1. Go Through Your Family Treasures
Are you cleaning out your grandma’s house and overwhelmed with the amount of things? Do you have boxes filled with scrapbooks or old family photos and albums? You don’t have to keep everything just because someone in your family had it. Instead, it’s better to sort through things and find the important pieces that resonate with you. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with an entire house filled with a lifetime of memories that just continue to grow.
Instead, go through the items and ask yourself whether you’re keeping them because they hold value or because you feel guilty about letting them go. If you don’t have any sentimental memories associated with something, it’s best to find it a new home. This could be for heirloom quilts, furniture, jewelry, or any other items. If you’re not sure about the history of your heirlooms, you might want to ask another family member before getting rid of it or see if someone else wants to hold onto it. Knowing the store behind an item may change how you look at it.
2. Create a Digitized Family Archive
Whether you have hundreds of family photos, newspaper clippings of some notable memories, or even old artwork from your children’s elementary school, one of the best ways to preserve your family heirlooms is to create a digital copy. You can do this on your own with a scanner and a computer. If you’re not too tech-savvy or simply don’t have the time, professional archival companies can also help you immortalize your family keepsakes for future generations. You’ll want to use high-resolution scanning and a good organization system to get the most out of your paper documents.
3. Separate Documents and Pictures by Type
Different types of documents, paper, and pictures need different storage methods. Newspapers are fragile and can deteriorate more quickly than a magazine cutout, while photo paper can result in discolored pictures if not handled properly. So, first things first, separate everything by type.
Properly storing photographs and other paper documents is essential for longevity. If you have a photo album that documents your family history, make sure it uses acid-free paper and a protective covering to avoid sticking. Newspapers are extremely high in acid, so keep them separate from any pictures you have. You can separate them with acid-free paper, stack them together, and store them in a protective envelope or archival box away from other sensitive materials.
If you really want to strengthen your archival storage methods, you can go one step forward and encapsulate things that are a bit unstable. This will require a trip to the archival suppliers or craft store and a bit of dedication, but it can help preserve items and prevent them from damaging others.
When it comes to storing handwritten notes, take a similar approach to newspaper clippings. Remove any paper clips, needles, stables, or other foreign objects, and try to handle the notes with care (especially if they’re older). Store them in an acid-free envelope or folder with a sheet of acid-free archival paper between each page. Storing books also requires some care, especially if you put them in a storage unit.
4. Clean Any Fabrics Before Storing
Storing clothes, blankets, or any other type of fabric requires careful planning to reduce the risk of pests and other issues. Even if you think something is clean, it’s best to give it a wash just to be sure. Follow specific instructions for washing and drying each material. Then, once they’ve dried completely, place them in the correct storage container and into your storage unit.
5. Skip the Furniture Polish
Storing family heirlooms doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when it comes to wood furniture or antiques. The way you store antique furniture is pretty simple, and you want to avoid furniture polish or harsh chemicals. Although they won’t damage modern furniture made out of more durable materials, polish and other harsh cleaners contain chemicals that can damage the wood of older pieces and lead to discoloration or deterioration. Instead, clean things with a soft, microfiber towel and place them in storage with controlled temperature and humidity.
6. Be Gentle with China or Other Dinnerware
While it’s not as common in today’s kitchen cabinets, the special occasion china of your parents or grandparents is a unique family heirloom collection that requires gentle care. Each piece must be washed with soap and water. Then, use a soft cloth to gently dry them by hand and store them in china boxes if possible. Avoid wrapping the dishes and cups in newspaper or packing paper, as this may be too harsh for the gentle materials. Proper storage techniques can help ensure your items aren’t damaged and stay in good condition for years. Similar care should be taken with crystal or glass.
7. Properly Store Heirloom Jewelry
Jewelry like wedding rings, brooches, necklaces, and watches are often a cherished family keepsake. However, many materials are sensitive and easily damaged or tarnished with time. So, if you want to preserve your jewelry, start by carefully examining each piece. You may want to consult a professional for advice on proper care and cleaning to help prolong the life of each piece and get repairs done before putting them in a storage facility. If you’re not sure of the value, important items should be appraised and insured.
It’s also important to use a jewelry box that’s lined with soft material, has a lid, and is filled with different compartments so items don’t touch. Don’t try to put too many items like watches or necklaces in one box, as the metals will react and cause damage.
For those who want to weird their precious family jewelry, always take the time to handle it carefully, avoid wearing it while swimming or showering, and take it off when you’re going to be in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
8. Take Precautions with Old Musical Instruments
Each type of instrument requires unique storage, so you may want to check with the manufacturer. In general, it’s best to store each piece in a unique or custom case that fits. You’ll want to clean everything, remove any mouthpieces or rods, and make repairs before storing them. Professional care and transport are recommended for pianos.
9. Utilize Climate Controlled Storage
Regardless of what items you have, avoid storing them in your attic or basement. Treasured heirlooms often need stable environments to reduce the risk of damage or destruction. Attics and basements tend to fluctuate between extremes, which can damage your belongings. Instead, find a self-storage unit that has both climate and temperature control for the best results. Plus, storage units eliminate exposure to sunlight and protect items from pests, which is a great way to ensure you can pass heirlooms down for generations to come.
10. Inspect Things Regularly
Finally, once you put your heirlooms away, don’t keep them locked up for years (or even decades). Take the time to inspect boxes and let things breathe regularly. This will give you a chance to make any repairs or change storage conditions if you notice any issues.
To help properly preserve your family history, rent a self-storage unit from The Lock Up Self Storage. The Lock Up offers temperature-controlled self-storage units in several sizes to help supplement your home storage and increase your livable space. All our units are climate-controlled with stable humidity levels to keep your belongings in excellent condition, regardless of how long you need to keep them in storage. Our facilities are also protected with top-of-the-line security features such as perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. For more information about our available self-storage units and sizing options, contact us at 1-866-327-LOCK or visit one of our locations for a tour.