How to Clean Old Black-and-White Negatives

Your family's history is likely contained in stacks of old black-and-white negatives that have been stored in a relative's musty attic or basement. You may not be able to develop the photos right away if the negatives have gotten dirty by sitting for years in storage. Clean the old negatives carefully to preserve them and keep sentimental photographs safe for future generations.

• 1

  Put on a pair of nylon or lint-free cotton gloves before you handle and clean your old black-and-white negatives. The Canadian Conservation Institute explains that some of the worst damage to photo negatives comes from fingerprints and scratches made by fingernails. Gloves can minimize such damage as you handle the delicate material.

• 2

  Brush off loose dust and dirt with a soft paintbrush. To avoid scratching the film, apply the lightest amount of pressure you can.

• 3

  Remove more stubborn dirt from your negatives with dry acetone, a chemical that is not completely dry, but contains less water than standard acetone. Apply the chemical with a soft cloth. According to the Canadian Conservation Institute, black-and-white negatives are composed of two layers, one of which is made of gelatin. The acetone will not penetrate and damage the gelatin layer. Dry acetone is available at photo supply shops.