Don’t forget to use dividers. Once photos start aging, they can start sticking together, which leads to permanent damage once you need to pull them apart. While it might seem like extra work, place non-acidic dividers in-between your photos to prevent this from happening.

Do get rid of adhesives. If you have any photos that are stored in albums that require adhesives, it’s best to remove them and place them in an album that contains acid-free sleeves or protectors to prevent damage in the long run.

Do organize photos according to dates and events. In the same way that you file your digital photos according to year, month, and event, do the same with your printed photos so that you can easily find what you’re looking for. Stick an inventory list on the front of each photo box for ease of reference.

Spending time organizing and storing your photos may not seem like the ideal way to spend a weekend but you will certainly thank yourself for it later.