What is the best way to clean a photograph?

Question:I have a photo with some unk substances on it. It's nothing major, but I don't want to risk ruining the photo because it's very meaningful to me. Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have a photo with some unk substances on it. It's nothing major, but I don't want to risk ruining the photo because it's very meaningful to me. Thanks.

If it is a photographic print, it can be washed in tepid water. Let the water soften the unknown substance and then lightly rub it off ... be careful you don't scratch the emulsion, then let it air dry.

If it is a print made by an ink-jet printer ... leave it alone ... take it to a photo retoucher or other professional.

I always put my dirty photos in the washing machine. Be careful though, if you wash it with whites everything will turn pink.

it depends on the way the photo was processed. is it black and white? color? What kind of paper? What chemicals were used? there are a lot of variables. if you don't know what you are dealing with exactly, I think you should play it safe and bring it to a photo shop that does restorations. it won't cost much at all.