An ink jet recording element including a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the ink jet recording element containing a metal hydroxide salt, (M.sup.2+)(OH).sub.a(A.sup.p.sup.-).sub.b.xH.sub.2O; wherein: M.sup.2+ is at least one metal ion having a 2+ oxidation state; A is an organic or inorganic anion; p is 1 or 2; and x is equal to or greater than 0; and a and b comprise rational numbers as follows: 0