How to Preserve Newspaper Clippings

Keep Them Forever

Crystal Ray
Newspapers eventually yellow, and depending on the conditions in which they are stored, they can completely deteriorate in time. Light, humidity, insects, and a host of other environmental factors can ruin newspaper clippings, and important newspaper articles that highlight special events in life can be lost forever. It is possible to preserve clippings of sporting events, wedding announcements, engagement announcements, awards, and any others you wish to keep indefinitely.

Don't lose important papers to the ravages of time. You can preserve newspaper clippings indefinitely, and taking the time to properly preserve newspaper articles of interest is well worth the effort. The following information provides simple step-by-step instructions to help you preserve your special newspapers. Decades from now, loved ones will be able to read newspaper clippings that look just as good as the day they were printed because you took the time to preserve them.

Craft Glue Preservative

Ordinary white craft glue is good for more than simple craft projects. You can use clear-drying white glue to preserve all of your special newspaper clippings. They will be stronger with a coating of glue, and they won't turn yellow as time goes by. Practice this easy technique on scrap clippings first so you can see how they'll turn out before using glue to preserve your important papers.

Carefully apply a thin layer of white craft glue to the front of newspaper clippings, and use care not to glue them to your work surface. In an effort not to glue the clippings to your work area, cut them out a few millimeters larger than desired, and don't apply the glue near the edges. After the glue has dried, trim the papers to the appropriate size. Although it isn't necessary, as an extra measure of preservation, the backsides of papers can also be coated using the same simple process.

Preserve Papers With This Simple Solution

Another solution to preserve newspaper clippings involves combining 1 tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia and 1 pint of regular club soda. You'll also need a quart-size mixing bowl, a spoon, a shallow baking pan, and paper toweling. Once this strange combination of liquids dries, it will everlastingly and effectively preserve newspaper clippings.

In a shallow baking pan, thoroughly combine 1 pint of cold club soda with 1 tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia. Place the newspaper clippings you wish to preserve in a single layer, and allow them to soak in the mixture undisturbed for approximately 1 hour. Spread paper towels on your work surface, and carefully place the wet newspaper clippings on the toweling. Place another layer of toweling over the newspaper clippings, and gently blot them to remove excess moisture. Allow the papers to continue drying on a clean flat surface to forever preserve them for years to come.

Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle

Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat...   View profile

4 Comments

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  • 1/30/2012

    Great tips . . but now what do I do with the preserved clippings? Do I glue them to paper? Or slide them into a plastic sleeve? Or put them in a picture frame? Or . . .?

  • Kassidy Emmerson 5/8/2007

    Great info here! It's hard to save clippings if you don't do it right! :-)

  • Zac Wassink 5/7/2007

    great ideas...im a dork that saves stuff like this all the time

  • Herstory 5/4/2007

    As a genealogist, preserving (and salvaging) original documents is a most important task. Thank you for reminding me of these great newspaper tips. Write on! :-)

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