How to Preserve Old Newspaper

Newspaper is delicate material, and it becomes brittle and yellow with age. Some newspapers contain information about historic events or family achievements and should be preserved for future generations. If the newspaper is crumbling or beyond home repair, seek the advice of a professional.

• Store the newspaper open. Leaving a newspaper folded for a long time causes it to become brittle. Once this happens, it will crumble and tear as it unfolds.


• Keep newspapers in a controlled environment. Sunlight and moisture can damage newspaper. Moisture causes the paper to become soggy, and it will begin to disintegrate. Direct sunlight causes the paper to yellow and become stiff.


• Wrap the newspaper in acid-free tissue paper. Seal the tissue paper with archival tape that will not yellow or lose adhesive. Do not seal the tissue paper too tightly. Airflow is important to prevent rapid aging.


• Store the newspapers in a sealed box. Scrapbook stores sell acid-free boxes that are safe for storing newspapers. However, if the newspapers have been properly wrapped in acid-free tissue paper, then a regular box is sufficient.


• Place boxes in a heated area. Newspapers require a certain amount of heat and humidity to prevent aging. Placing boxes in drafty areas, such as a garage or under house storage, can cause them to become damaged. The ideal storage space is a closet or bedroom.


• Frame newspaper with ultraviolet protected acrylic or glass. If you want to frame the paper, ensure the frame shop uses a glass or acrylic pane that will block out harmful sun rays. Even in a frame, newspaper will start to age without proper care.