Acid is a natural ingredient of wood and cotton pulp used to make boxes and materials. This acid acts over time to weaken the structure of the box or fabric causing it to become brittle and crack. Storing items for long periods of time in such containers will lead to the migration of the acid from the container into the contents causing brittleness and deterioration.

The removal of active acids during the manufacturing process allows for the production of safer acid-free materials. The range of archival products from Memory Boxes have all been manufactured as acid free for use by museums and archives for the long term safe storage of valuable and fragile items.