How to Remove Vinegar Smell From Old Movies

Old film can suffer from vinegar syndrome.

Old film that has been stored for several years can develop what is known as "vinegar syndrome." The proper terminology for this type of film degrading is cellulose acetate decomposition, according to Film-to-video.com. This usually attacks acetate film, causing it to develop a distinct vinegar smell. Unfortunately, vinegar syndrome is not reversible. There is no way to stop the film from continually decomposing or to remove the smell, however, there are alternatives and preventative measures that can save your film if you act quickly.

Instructions

1. Remove your acetate film from any sealed, airtight metal or plastic film canisters. Sealed film that is not allowed to breathe will continue to deteriorate.

2. Place the film in a storage container such as a freezer in temperatures below 50 degrees F. Very cold temperatures will drastically slow further chemical deterioration to your film.

3. Leave the film in cold storage until you are ready to have it duplicated. Gather your film and place each in a separate container.

4. Bring the film to a professional film digitizer and ask to have the film digitized. This is the only way to save your film from the effects of vinegar syndrome.

Tips & Warnings

• Never store film together in the same airtight canister. Acetate film with vinegar syndrome can "infect" other reels in the same space, reports Film-to-video.com.

• Store film in temperatures below 72 degrees F. in a well-ventilated storage facility. Keep the relative humidity in the room between 20 and 50 percent. Storing film this way will prevent vinegar syndrome.

References

• Film-to-Video.com: Important Considerations About 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm Film in Storage
• Conservators of Fine Arts and Material Culture: Preserving Your Collection of Film-Based Photographic Negatives
• New York State Archives: Acetate Microfilm
• Image Permanence Institute: Vinegar Syndrome--An Action Plan