Which Acid Free Tissue Paper is Best for Your Collection?

Buffered or Unbuffered?

After visiting many different websites that sell buffered and nonbuffered Acid Free tissue, I found so much conflicting information, and sometimes totally inaccurate information, that I went straight to the historic conservation experts.  The following information was obtained from museum and preservation experts such as The Simthsonian Institute, the Library of Congress, The Henry Ford Museum,  American Institute For Conservation, as well as other expert museum conservators.

What  is "Acid Free" and what is the Difference between Buffered and Unbuffered or Non Buffered Tissue?

Acid Free means that the tissue is free of acids that will cause it to deteriorate over time and damage the other items that it touches.  “Acid free” tissue is NOT the same as gift grade tissue paper or packing tissue paper.

Buffered has an alkaline reserve, usually 2-5% calcium carbonate.  The buffering counteracts the effects within the material or in the environment, providing long term protection.


pH level is the measure of acidity and alkalinity.  The scale ranges from 0-14, with 7 being neutral.
Buffered  paper should have a pH neutral level of 7.5 to 9.5 
Unbuffered paper should have a pH neutral level of 7.0 to 7.5

Which is Best for my Collection?

Antique & Vintage Linens & Lace –
  Linen, Cotton, Jute, Organdy,  – (natural fibers) Buffered
 Wool , Silk, (animal fibers) - Unbuffered white
 Satin, Rayon, Nylon, Synthetics, metallic threads or embellishments – Unbuffered white

Antique Quilts – Buffered is the usual choice, as most are made from cotton, feedsacks or muslin.  Use Unbuffered white for quilts made of satin, velvet, wool or synthetics.

Antique, Vintage & Heirloom Clothing –
  Linen, Cotton, Jute, Organdy – (natural fibers) Buffered
  Silk, Wool, Satin, Rayon, Synthetics – Unbuffered white

Antique Heirloom Christening Gowns –
 Linen, Cotton, Jute, Organdy – (natural fibers) Buffered
 Silk, Satin, Rayon, Synthetics – Unbuffered white

Wedding Gowns –
 Linen, Cotton, Jute, Organdy – (natural fibers) Buffered
 Silk, Satin, Rayon, Synthetics – Unbuffered white

Wedding Veils – Unbuffered white

Ephemera Collections –
 Postcards, Magazines, Books, Manuscripts, Paper, etc - Buffered
 Photographs – Buffered

Prints, Posters, etc - Unbuffered

Leather - Unbuffered (white or kraft)

Vintage Jewelry  – Unbuffered (white or kraft)

Christmas Ornaments – Unbuffered (white or kraft)

Sterling Silver – Unbuffered (should pass the TappI T444 silver tarnish test) (white or kraft)

Antique Dolls – Unbuffered (white or kraft)

Collectibles - Unbuffered (white or kraft)

When in doubt – Unbuffered


TIPS:
If you need/use both buffered and unbuffered acid free tissue (as I do), an easy way to instantly recognize and distinguish which paper is buffered or unbuffered, is the snip one corner off of the unbuffered tissue with a scissors.  We only sell the unbuffered tissue in the 20” x 30” size, so that’s another way to tell.

Use ONLY WHITE or natural Kraft Acid Free Tissue Paper of Archival Quality.  Do NOT use colored tissue as the dye can bleed onto and ruin your collections!

Pests -
Many collections, as well as the tissue paper itself, can attract moths, silverfish and other little pests which love to feast on your prized collections!  For years I have stored my own personal collections with high quality French Provence lavender sachets, which not only smell heavenly, but as an added bonus they are safe and natural insect repellants.  An occasional squeeze will renew the fragrance, and they last for years!  Even living in Florida, I have never once had a problem with these little uninvited pests.  One is included as a FREE Thank You Gift with every order of acid free tissue paper purchased from us!

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