Can You Put Photos in a cedar chest?
Don't let the photos touch the wood itself, as it's acidic and could ruin the photos. The cedar chest needs to be stored in an area where there is no direct heat or moisture, which means not in the attic or basement. It's also a good idea to check the contents of any cedar chest at least once a year to make sure that everything is OK.
Can I store old photo albums in my cedar chest?
Unfortunately, the plastic sleeves in old photo albums usually aren’t acid free or their plastics are damaging and contain adhesives. For the best storage of your photos use polyester sleeves ( buy sleeves that are polyh vinyl chloride free) or archival boxes. Can I store glass or china in my cedar chest? Absolutely.
What can you store in a cedar chest?
Remember that only certain plastics (Polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester) are safe to store items in a cedar chest. Can I store silk or wool in my cedar chest? You might be more familiar with this question and its answer. Yes. Wool is the most well-known stored item inside these moth repellant cedar chests.
What is a cedar chest used for?
Cedar chests are used to store everyday items such as blankets, sheets and clothing at the change of seasons. Photographs and other memorabilia can also be stored safely in a cedar chest.
What should you not store in a cedar chest?
Avoid plastic or paper bagging of your textiles. Remember that only certain plastics (Polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester) are safe to store items in a cedar chest.
What can you put in a cedar chest?
Cedar chests are used to store everyday items such as blankets, sheets and clothing at the change of seasons. Photographs and other memorabilia can also be stored safely in a cedar chest.
Is cedar good for storing clothes?
Cedar removes moisture from the air, so in humid climates, it will act as a natural dehumidifier and keep your clothes from developing mildew. Cedar's natural smell is very pleasant and aromatic, so it will keep your home and your clothes smelling fresh, even as the scent protects them.
Can you store quilts in a cedar chest?
Cedar chests are not ideal places to store your quilts. The acid from the wood can easily transfer to your quilt, causing discoloration and staining. But if a cedar chest is your only storage option or you really want to use the chest for this purpose, then slip your quilts into cotton pillowcases first.
Can bed bugs get in a cedar chest?
There's a good chance you won't ever find cedar wood and bed bugs in the same place. Why? Because cedar wood contains natural oils that bed bugs and lots of other pests don't like.
Do cedar chests keep bugs away?
While it's common knowledge that cedar chips deter moths from munching on your sweaters and other wool items in summer storage, cedar is also useful in deterring other pests both inside and outside. Cedar's superpower to combat unwanted bugs, snakes and rodents lies in its distinctive and pleasant earthy smell.
Does cedar mold?
Cedar's closed cell structure means it's extremely decay-resistant. Cedar does not absorb water allowing mold or fungus to grow inside logs.
Are cedar chests worth anything?
Online auction sites, antique shops and secondhand stores often sell Lane cedar chests -- based on their age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more for older chests. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.
Do cedar closets prevent moths?
The dark-colored heartwood of red cedar contains natural oils that help kill clothes-moth larvae, but this alone won't protect clothing. It's not effective against carpet beetles, and, with moths, it kills only young larvae, not older ones or eggs. The effect also fades as the scent does.
How do you keep a 100 year old quilt?
A: Fan-fold the quilt and put crushed archival tissue between layers. Wrap it in tissue or clean cotton sheets. Don't use plastic, which traps moisture. Periodically refold the quilt in a different way to avoid permanent creases.
What's the difference between a hope chest and a cedar chest?
Hope chest is the term for a trunk or chest design that is used for storing heirlooms, valuables and keepsakes. A cedar chest is a chest made of cedar, simply. A hope chest can be a cedar chest and vice versa.
Can you store guns in a cedar chest?
If you use some older, worn cedar in your cabinet, you shouldn't have a problem with your guns, especially if you can provide a little ventilation to flow through.
What do you store in wooden chests?
Storage. As mentioned, a cedar chest is perfect for protecting sweaters, tablecloths, wool blankets, fur coats, and even feather boas. The cedar oil in the wood is a natural repellent for moths, preventing them from moving in and having babies that will eat your clothing, setting you up for a rude surprise next season.
Can you store guns in a cedar chest?
If you use some older, worn cedar in your cabinet, you shouldn't have a problem with your guns, especially if you can provide a little ventilation to flow through.
How do you style a cedar chest?
Cover your chest with a folded quilt or cushion to create a bedroom window seat. Have a piece of glass or plexiglass cut slightly larger than the top of the chest to make a family room or patio coffee table. Make a handsome chest a focal piece, under a hall mirror to dignify an entryway or formalize a stair landing.
Are old cedar chests worth anything?
Online auction sites, antique shops and secondhand stores often sell Lane cedar chests -- based on their age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more for older chests. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.
What to store in a cedar chest?
Cedar chests are the perfect place to store your child's baby items to treasure and remember. Baby blankets, clothing, rattles, first toys, and books are all good items for a cedar chest.
What are cedar chests used for?
Cedar chests have been used to store valuables since ancient times. Ancient Egyptians used them as a single box to store valuable papyrus writings and gold. Over time they were used in Europe and Colonial America and were created as chests with drawers.
What is the cedar hope chest?
When given to a woman when she marries, the cedar hope chest is filled with linens, dishes and sometimes her wedding dress. When given to a woman for the birth of a child, it is filled with such items as newborn clothes, diapers and blankets. Advertisement.
What is the function of cedar wood?
Function. The natural oils in the cedar wood naturally repel insects and keep moisture out, protecting your valuable items from damage. The natural oils also provide a pleasant scent to clothing or blankets stored in your cedar chest. Advertisement.
Photographs
You might be surprised to learn that you should not store photographs in a cedar chest but over time the acid in the chest can damage the photographs.
Important Papers
On this same train of thought, any documents that you deem important can be damaged by the acid and oil in a cedar chest.
Collectible Cards
Collectible trading cards like sports cards or game cards have plenty of sentimental value that would be a shame to lose to the oil and acidity inside your cedar chest.
Books
Books are a recipe for disaster when it comes to preservation. Storing paper is hard enough, especially when you have to care for the ink on that paper. Books have both these problems, and on top of that, all the pages are bound together and touching each other.
Artwork
While most of your artwork will be on display, there are plenty of times when you would want to store smaller pieces. Unfortunately, you should look for other ways to store them before putting them in a cedar chest. The acidity and oil could easily destroy the artwork.
Unsecured Breakables
There is no reason you cannot store breakable items in a cedar chest, but take the time to ensure they are properly secured. If the chest is moved, the delicate items can easily fall on the inside and break. If the items are heavy enough, they can damage the softwood.
Watch out for Batteries in a Cedar Chest
While you probably are not intending to use your cedar chest as a battery storage container, you should take care not to forget about any batteries in items you are storing.
What is the best way to store photos?
Plastic sandwich bags are a good, inexpensive alternative to plastic sleeves if special supplies do not fit into your budget. Store large quantities of photos by layering them between sheets of acid-free paper in metal or cardboard boxes marked acid-free.
How to store large quantities of photos?
Store large quantities of photos by layering them between sheets of acid-free paper in metal or cardboard boxes marked acid-free. Large photo archive boxes can be easily stacked in a cabinet or closet, or even slid under a bed if storage space is at a premium.
How to protect old photos from damage?
Wear clean, cotton gloves when handling old photos. Touching the print side of a photo with your fingers can leave behind oils that can damage precious heirlooms and collectibles alike. Support the photos properly as you're sorting and identifying them since they can sometimes be fragile. Read More.
What to remove from photos before placing in acid free album?
Remove any glue, tape, staples, rubber bands, and paper clips that might stain, scratch or dent photographs before placing them in an acid-free album, storage box, or frame.
Can you take photos out of a magnetic album?
If you do decide to use a commercially available photo album, look for one labeled "acid-free." A visit to a hobby shop or photo supply store may be to find the safest type of album.
Can you store old photos?
You can store and preserve old photographs so they will last for generations to come. This means more than placing them in a photo album, as some types can damage the photos. You will need the right supplies and materials so you can get them into the best storage systems or display them appropriately. Most professionals advise handling old ...
Can you frame old photos with acid free mats?
Framing Your Old Photos. When framing, use acid-free mats to keep photos from touching the glass and acid-free backboards to avoid deterioration of the image. If you are having a photograph professionally framed, be sure to tell the framer you want acid-free materials. These will be a bit more expensive, so a framer may not use them automatically.
