It was somewhere around five years ago that the subject of acid hit the scrapbooking world. Before that, we did little about it—primarily because we didn’t know that much about it. Professional preservationists knew about it. Computer manufacturers knew about it. As did archaeologists. And even though there were rumblings among scrapbookers about acid, most of us back then didn’t pay much attention to all the brouhaha. Well things have changed. Today acid sits right up there with fingerprints and lint as one of the most egregious perpetrators of damage. We spend hundreds of dollars on acid-free products—everything from papers to pens—just to make sure our scrapbooks remain as archivally safe as possible. Yet there is one element we’re missing—one very important link in the acid-free chain. Our hands.

Here are four points you should consider about acidity on your hands:

• Is it really that bad?

Our hands are naturally acidic. They register on a pH scale at 5.5. That’s a little less acidic than black coffee, which registers at 5.0. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral—or acid-free. In a recent tip sheet entitled “Tips on Preserving Photographs: Helpful tips for preserving your precious documents and memorabilia” published by the Iowa Conservations and Preservation Consortium, researchers emphatically stated “the acids in human skin oils will cause permanent damage over time.”

• What about gloves?

While preservationists, and even most stamp collectors, have worn gloves while handling materials for some time, scrapbookers have not picked up this habit. Let’s be honest. How many of us really wear gloves? Cotton gloves are uncomfortable and surgical gloves make our hands sweat. Both leave us with little tactile sensation in our fingertips, hampering creativity.

• Can’t you just wash your hands?

Washing your hands usually gets rid of all contaminates—except acid. In fact, when you wash your hands with common bar or liquid soap (which are very high in alkalinity), your body compensates for the sudden rise in alkalinity on your hands by going into acid production “overdrive.” You would be better off to simply rinse your hands in clear water.

• Why can’t you just wipe off your fingerprints?

The problem is not fingerprints. It’s the acid in fingerprints, which stays even after you’ve wiped the fingerprints off the materials you’ve touched. Of course fingerprints are unsightly and should be wiped off with a lint-free cloth, even if your bare hands have been acid neutralized.

In conclusion, what can you do to protect your photos and paper from the acid in your hands?

Gloves are effective; But they’re not very practical when working with materials that require a delicate sense of touch. Ask the folks who handle microchips. If you prefer not to wear gloves, you might consider a new acid-neutralizing lotion that has just come on the market. The lotion, called Hands Off™, provides about two hours of work time with each application, and you get to work with your bare hands. Just remember you’ll still have to wipe off your fingerprints. Only this time you won’t be leaving behind a splotch of acid.

Resources And More Information:

Rebecca's Top Picks from HIA 2002 - This list of favorite new products and innovations for the Hobby Industry Association Trade Show includes information about Hands Off™ lotion.

Iowa Conservations and Preservation Consortium Tip Sheet List - Find expert information about preserving your photos and documents.

Hands Off™ Frequently Asked Questions - Still have questions about this new acid-neutralizing lotion, click here first.

Hands Off™ Lotion Web Site