The invention relates to novel formulations of buffers used for isolating, purifying and recovering long-chain and short-chain nucleic acids. The areas of application of the inventive method include all laboratories engaged in isolating nucleic acids, such as laboratories used in forensic medicine, food diagnosis, medical diagnosis, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering and all other related fields. The inventive method is characterized in that the solution containing the nucleic acid is prepared with additives whereby containing monovalent and multivalent cations as well as an alcohol and, optionally, additional additives. The solution is subsequently brought into contact with the solid phase, whereupon the support is optionally washed, and the nucleic acid is removed from the solid phase or the solution optionally contains multivalent and/or monovalent cations, optionally one alcohol, and optionally contains additional additives, and a specific pH value is set between 7 and 10. Ammonium chloride, sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride are used as monovalent salt components. Magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride and/or manganese chloride are used as multivalent salt components. A particularly preferred variant involves the use of identical molar amounts of sodium chloride and manganese chloride.