Prevent Newspapers from Yellowing by Heloise

+3 votes
266 views

Saving newspaper articles about family achievements is important. To help prevent most clippings from yellowing: Mix one quart club soda with two tablespoons Milk Of Magnesia, and refrigerate for eight hours before using. Pour the solution into a shallow pan; submerge the clippings -- one at a time -- and let soak for one hour.

Carefully remove each newspaper article, and place it on several layers of white paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Then move it to a clean, flat surface to dry completely.

Be sure to include the date and the name of the newspaper with the article when you frame it. And avoid displaying it in direct sunlight because it may fade.

 

 

in The Tree House by Judy Bramlage G2G6 Pilot (266k points)

Due to the nature of paper used for newspapers, this is a temporary solution. Newsprint is probably one of the cheapest papers available, considering that is not manufactured with long term preservation in mind. An article on newspaper preservation states:

Preservation Problems

Newsprint, the paper used to print newspapers, contains high levels of wood pulp. This paper is very inexpensive but doesn't survive well over long periods; the impurities in the paper react with light and moisture to discolor the paper and turn it brown and brittle. Its high acid content will eventually break up the paper fibers, causing the clipping to disintegrate. In order to maintain newspaper clippings, you'll have to keep them away from potential contaminants.

I can't give you a star when you don't Answer.
Thank you for the kind thought, either to Jim or me, although I would defer to Jim because he gave the sources for our quotations.

My comment is not really an answer, but more of something to keep in mind. I have some old newspaper clippings. It is interesting that the older ones (latter half of the 1800s) seem less subject to becoming  yellow and brittle than newer ones (early 1900s).

Another thought, it seems soaking the clipping for an hour seems a long time, although I have no experience to base this on. I would hope whoever posted this verified that the newspaper did not disintegrate or become too fragile to handle when wet.

I would get a color scan of the clipping before any chemical treatment. I think color would give a better result than black and white (or grey scale), but most scanners have the ability to do both.

Interesting observation about 1850–1900 newspapers versus later ones, George.

The Library of Congress article

https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html

explains why mechanical wood pulping and the acids in a lot of paper made between say 1850 and 1980 make it less durable than that from before or since. But it doesn't cover the point you make.

1 Answer

+3 votes
There’s also one made with pesto bismal. If you don’t want to do that there used to be a spray caller archival mist. It would be found in the area for scrapbooking in hobby stores.
by Alice Glassen G2G6 Mach 7 (74.5k points)

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