Why is my tissue yellowing?

Is your tissue paper yellowing? Proper textile storage is imperative to ensuring a long lifespan. Read about the reason behind the yellowing and what you can do. 

Tip Thursday: Does the tissue paper in your textile storage look like this? It may be time for a refresh. Here's why:

The top area in the picture on the right shows a brighter, whiter tissue compared to the bottom area, which is yellowing and more transparent.

These are both from the same storage box. So, why did one change and not the other?

The yellowing tissue was in direct contact with the textile, and the acid has migrated from the object to the paper, meaning that the tissue is no longer protecting the textile, and it's time for a refresh.

The reason for using specialized tissue paper in textile storage is to prevent future degradation. Specialized archival tissue paper acts as a protective barrier, safeguarding the textile against environmental and handling pollutants that can lead to deterioration.

I think of textiles as a living, breathing thing. They ebb and flow with the environmental conditions and the storage solutions presented to them. Textiles, especially historic ones, are susceptible to unstable materials. Specialized storage solutions help to stabilize and protect them in the long term.

It's easier (and more cost-effective) to store your heirloom textiles properly to avoid more active conservation repairs. 

Why is my tissue yellowing?

Depending on the textile, unbuffered acid-free tissue paper is generally recommended for textile storage. This type of specialized tissue is used to protect the object from harm, but because textiles are ever-changing, it's important to check in with your textiles to ensure they are being protected.

Checking on textiles, even when properly stored, is so important! Proper storage helps to maintain the textile's appearance and structural integrity over time.

Why special tissue? Can't I just use my gift bag tissue?

I understand that specialized archival tissue isn't cheap, but it's an important step in long-term storage. Archival tissue is specially manufactured to have a neutral or basic pH, which means it doesn't contain acids that will cause further textile deterioration. Remember, textiles are already prone to degradation due to the nature of the materials used in manufacture, so let's ensure the storage solutions don't add to this problem!

While it may be a more expensive up-front cost, it saves future conservation repair for degraded or even unsalvageable issues. Can you imagine having to dispose of a precious, heirloom garment just because it wasn't properly stored? Simple solutions can extend the life of the items you value most. The textiles you have are worth saving! 

If you have yellowing tissue, simply refreshing the tissue may be the solution. It's a good idea to evaluate the storage solutions to see if there is anywhere to improve to ensure there isn't a deeper underlying problem.

If you have an object you'd like to preserve for future generations, contact Nickole here or send her an email at NickoleSwensen@gmail.com