How Do You Keep Old Newspapers From Turning Yellow?
Sep 4, 2026 / Alyssa Duranty
Store old newspapers and newspaper clippings at home by keeping them unfolded, flat, and separated with archival-quality materials. Use acid-free folders, backing boards, sleeves, and boxes, then place the collection in a dark, dry, elevated indoor area away from direct light, heat, moisture, and changing conditions.
Keep newspapers, clippings, and related personal records at home rather than in a storage unit. Public Storage can create room for an at-home newspaper archive by holding permitted household items that are separate from the collection.
Newspaper Storage Essentials:
- Store full newspapers flat whenever possible.
- Avoid folding newspapers for long-term storage.
- Handle pages with clean, dry hands.
- Use acid-free, lignin-free folders, boxes, and interleaving paper.
- Store clippings in archival sleeves or folders with acid-free backing boards.
- Keep newspapers away from direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting, heat, and moisture.
- Store archival boxes on shelving or another raised surface.
- Avoid staples, rubber bands, paper clips, ordinary tape, and non-archival adhesives.
- Digitize meaningful pages and clippings as a backup.
- Keep newspapers, clippings, and related records at home.
Newspaper Storage at a Glance:
Should You Fold Newspapers Before Storing Them?
No. Do not fold newspapers for long-term storage. Folded newspaper pages can weaken along the crease and may split when opened later.
Store full newspapers flat in an appropriately sized archival folder or box. If space requires stacking, keep stacks low and place acid-free tissue paper or backing board between groups of papers.
Store clippings flat in archival sleeves or folders. Do not use staples, rubber bands, paper clips, or ordinary tape because these items can stain, tear, or damage the paper over time.
What Supplies Should You Use to Store Old Newspapers?
Use archival-quality materials designed for paper storage. Acid-free, lignin-free folders, boxes, tissue paper, backing boards, and photo-safe sleeves can help organize newspapers and clippings while limiting direct contact between pages.
Use:
- Acid-free folders
- Archival storage boxes
- Acid-free tissue paper
- Polyester or photo-safe sleeves
- Acid-free backing boards
- Soft pencils for labels
Avoid regular plastic bags, food-storage containers, ordinary cardboard boxes, rubber bands, tape, and adhesive products not designed for archival materials.
How Should You Prepare Old Newspapers for Storage?
Prepare old newspapers by working on a clean, dry surface and handling each page gently. Remove loose dust with minimal contact and avoid cleaning products, water, or aggressive brushing.
Use this process:
- Clear food, drinks, pens, and other items from the work area.
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Unfold newspapers carefully.
- Flatten pages gently without pressing creases.
- Place each newspaper in an acid-free folder or archival box.
- Add acid-free tissue between groups when stacking is necessary.
- Label folders or boxes by date, publication, event, or topic.
- Place the collection on an elevated shelf at home.
Consult a qualified paper conservator before repairing rare, fragile, historically significant, or damaged newspapers.
Where Should You Store Newspaper Collections at Home?
Store newspaper collections at home in a cool, dark, dry, elevated indoor area. An interior closet shelf, cabinet, drawer, or bookcase can work when it stays away from sunlight, heat, water, and changing conditions.
Avoid storing newspapers in:
- Garages
- Attics
- Damp basements
- Sheds
- Vehicle trunks
- Areas near windows
- Areas near radiators or heating vents
- Areas near water pipes, sinks, or laundry equipment
- Floors where spills or leaks could reach them
Place archival boxes on shelving instead of directly on the floor.
How Should You Store Newspaper Clippings?
Store newspaper clippings flat in archival sleeves, acid-free folders, or archival albums. Place an acid-free backing board behind fragile clippings to help prevent curling and bending.
Organize clippings by:
- Date
- Event
- Publication
- Family announcement
- Sports coverage
- Local history
- Topic
- Research project
Use labels such as:
- Family Announcements — 1980–1990
- Historic Headlines
- Local Sports Coverage
- Travel Clippings
- Newspaper Research — To Review
Do not glue original clippings directly onto standard scrapbook pages. Use copies in a scrapbook and keep original clippings in archival storage.
How Can You Digitize Newspapers and Newspaper Clippings?
Digitize newspapers and clippings by scanning or photographing each piece in good light. Save files with clear names that include the publication, date, event, or topic.
For example:
- Local Newspaper — July 4, 1995
- Family Announcement — March 1988
- Sports Headline — Championship Game
- Historic Event — Front Page
Keep digital copies in more than one location. Digital files can provide a reference copy while limiting unnecessary handling of original papers.
How Can Public Storage Create Room for a Newspaper Archive?
Public Storage can create room for an at-home newspaper archive by holding permitted furniture, seasonal décor, boxes, and household belongings that crowd closets, shelves, and spare rooms. This can leave more space at home for archival boxes, a research table, or an organized display area.
More than 45% of Public Storage properties offer drive-up storage units. Drive-up access can make loading and unloading furniture, seasonal bins, and household boxes from a vehicle easier.
Keep old newspapers, clippings, archives, and related personal records at home.
Keep Newspaper Collections Organized at Home.
Newspaper collections are easier to organize when pages stay flat, folders and boxes use archival-quality materials, and the collection remains in a dark, dry indoor area. Use clear labels, handle pages gently, and create digital copies of meaningful clippings.
Find a Public Storage location near you to reserve space for furniture, seasonal décor, boxes, and household belongings that are crowding the room you want to use for newspaper storage and research.
A clear at-home archive makes it easier to revisit the headlines and stories that matter to you.
Newspaper Storage FAQs
How do you keep old newspapers from turning yellow?
Store old newspapers in acid-free folders or boxes away from sunlight, heat, and humidity. Newspaper naturally ages, but archival materials and stable at-home conditions can limit unnecessary damage.
Should you laminate old newspapers?
No. Do not laminate original newspapers because lamination can be difficult to reverse and may trap damaging materials against the paper. Use archival sleeves or acid-free folders instead.
What is the best way to store newspaper clippings?
Store clippings flat in acid-free folders or photo-safe sleeves with archival backing boards. Label folders by date, publication, event, or topic.
Can you store old newspapers in a storage unit?
No. Keep old newspapers, clippings, and related personal records at home. Use storage only for permitted household items that are separate from the collection.
Should you fold newspapers for storage?
No. Store full newspapers flat whenever possible. Folding can weaken paper along creases and make pages more likely to tear.
