How to Clean Daguerreotypes

A daguerreotype in its case

One of the earliest methods of photography was the daguerreotype, named after its French inventor and popular in the first half of the nineteenth century. Images taken with this camera have historical value, and, as with all antiques, they require preservation. They must be handled carefully, lest the attempts to clean them only damage them further.

Things You'll Need

• Bulbous syringe
• Deionized water
• Solvent baths
• Grain alcohol
• Controlled heat source (such as an alcohol lamp)
• Diluted ammonium hydroxide
• Silver bar or plate
• Electric current source

Instructions

1. First efforts to clean a daguerreotype should focus on dry cleaning. This causes minimal damage to the photograph and presents less risk of future corrosion. Be careful handling the parts of the daguerreotype.

2. Separate the parts of the daguerreotype by removing the preserver and the glass front from the plate. Then, using the syringe (similar to the kind used to clean ears), blow compressed air over the plate to remove loose particles. Clean the glass and reassemble.

3. Wash with water if dry cleaning is not enough. After removing loose particles as described, submerge the daguerreotype in a bath of warm deionized water. Dry it using a series of solvent baths (if available) or a solution of 95 percent grain alcohol. Place it over a gentle, controlled heat to dry.

4. If further cleaning is still needed, wash the daguerreotype in a solution of diluted ammonium hydroxide. This will prepare the daguerreotype for the next process of electro-washing.

5. Immerse the daguerreotype in a solution of ammonium hydroxide and deionized water. Place the silver bar or plate above the daguerreotype, being careful that it does not touch the daguerreotype. Pass a weak electric current through the bar, transferring corrosive particles to the silver.

6. Dry the daguerreotype as you would after a water wash. Reassemble the complete daguerreotype, including the glass front.

Tips & Warnings

• There is a further process for cleaning daguerreotype involving lasers, but it can only be done by professionals. Care and proper handling and storage of daguerreotypes will go a long way toward preserving them without the need for cleaning.

• Never touch the surface of the daguerreotype with your fingers. Once damaged, it cannot be undone. Clean and preserve a daguerreotype immediately after damage is noticed. Corrosion, once started, is an ongoing process. Cleaning is best left to a professional.

References

• The Dangers of Improper Cleaning

Resources

• Princeton University Collection
• History of Daguerreotypes