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Most people, at some point in their life, save a newspaper
clipping. Perhaps
your child was the star of your local paper for a science
experiment. Or,
the your teen's tennis team is heading to the state finals. There
are even
sad events we may clip -- a national tragedy, an obituary, or
details of a
car accident. The reason we clip these newspaper article is
because they
document a period in time that for whatever reason, we want to
remember.
Unfortunately, many people don't consider the fact that the very
article they
wish to keep, is already starting to slowly deteriorate seconds
after coming
off the press.
What do you do? Continue to clip and accept this as the way it
is? Absolutely
not. With the help of modern technology, your newspaper clippings
can be
preserved, so that they will never be yellow, brittle, and faded.
With a little
preventive maintenance, your newspaper clippings will be able to
be enjoy
by future generations. Here are your options:
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Many family historians and scrapbookers swear by a product
called
Archival Mist. Spray Archival Mist on your clippings and the
solution will
neutralize the acid in the paper. This product can be cost a bit
more than
the other options listed here, but if you wish to preserve a
document in
original state, Archival Mist is the way to go. Check your local
or online
scrapbook store or discount chains such as Wal-mart to purchase
this
extraordinary product.
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Recently, the popular spray paint company, Krylon, has came
out with
their own product that neutralizes the acid in paper called "Make
It Acid
Free". It is reported that Krylon's product is much more cost
efficient than
the above mentioned Archival Mist. Check for this product at
stores selling
spray paint.
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Scanners can be found on many home desktops and with one, you
can
print an acid-free copy of your newspaper article. To do so,
simply clip the
article and scan into your computer. Then, using acid-free paper,
print a
copy of the article. The results are fantastic and usually look
exactly like
the actual clipping.
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If you don't have a scanner, you're still in luck. Take your
newspaper
clippings to your local print shop and have them copied onto
acid-free
paper.
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Another idea for deacidfying your newspaper clippings is to
use the
following homemade solution. It is a bit more complicated than
the above
options, but some like this method best. Please be sure to this
on an
unimportant document first, as I assume no responsibility for any
damage
caused by using or misusing this formula.
Recipe for preserving old newspaper clippings:
- One capful milk of magnesia
- One bottle of club soda
Pour one capful of milk of magnesia into the bottle of club soda.
Carefully
replace the cap and SLOWLY invert to mix the two fluids. Store
this
overnight in the fridge. Pour the new solution into a glass cake
pan. Gently
put a clipping into the solution for 2-3 minutes. Be careful not
to tear or
poke holes in the fragile paper. Carefully place between WHITE
paper
towels to extract most of the solution. Transfer and store
overnight between
two pages of white blotter paper with books used on top for
weights.
This method is not for manuscripts or letters as the ink will
bleed.
So there you have it. Take some time and find those newspaper
clippings
that you have tucked away and get them prepared for the future.
Even if
you clipped them years ago and you find that they are already
starting to
deteriorate, it's not too late. Stop their aging by using one of
the methods
above.
© 2003 Brandie Valenzuela
About The Author:
Brandie is a busy wife and homeschooling mom to three children in
Victorville, CA. She is a scrapbook product designer for
http://www.pagesoftheheart.com/elemental, as well as a scrapbook
teacher at Starlite Expressions, a scrapbook store in her
hometown.
Brandie is also honored to be member of the Pages of the Heart
Design
Team at http://www.pagesoftheheart.net.
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Crafts 
Newspaper Clippings : Friend or Foe?