why does paper lose its 'white' after awhile?

Answer 1

the process of making paper - using acid. there are archiving papers used that's totally acid free. you'll also notice that this yellowing from the acid will leach into the surrounding documents so if you plan to preserve documents, photos, or any valuable memorabilia, use acid free (alkaline) paper.

Answer 2

Thats a good question. Paper when it is made and where it is made determines its quality and type of thickness and size and weight and COLOR..
A company such as Union Pacific, I merely use due to the world wide familiarity of the name in size. They make many types of paper products. One thing each product shares is the bleaching process in whites and off white colors of paper. The bleaching is chemically enduced. Paper just as most anything man made is bound to the laws of nature and in this case oxidation, a break down of the papers properties, especially if the paper is subjected to sun light ect, the oxidation process will cause the paper to become yellow and old in appearance. Oxidation is hard to prevent but can be minimized by keeping the paper product in a cool dry place free of moisture in a climate controled area.
Hope this helped,
Jim

Answer 3

Paper is made from wood, which is made up mainly of white cellulose. Wood also has a lot of a dark substance in it called lignin, which ends up in the paper, too, along with the cellulose. The exposure of lignin to air and sunlight is what turns paper yellow.

Answer 4

It's the acid in the paper. It's kind of like silver tarnishing, it turns yellow because the air is hitting it.

Answer 5

Wood pulp has acid. Unless the acid is removed, the paper turns brown and become brittle.

Answer 6

Because it's process meed to use chemical and some acid. this acid still left in paper after finish it;s process. when time pass this acid is damage paper and turn it darker. More information can ask in your local library (big one)