![]() ![]() Air shouldn’t be blowing right on the book. Airflow will help your afflicted paper friend dry out faster, but uneven drying can cause the book to warp. Set up a fan in another part of the room. When you’re ready, let the book thaw before you start working on it. That should prevent or slow mold growth while you get organized. If you need to make preparations for the cleaning of your wet book, put that book in a sealed bag and stick it in the freezer first. Dry the book before you mitigate the mold, dirt, or stains. Don’t try to wipe the pages, either, because you could smudge or tear them. Deal with Dampnessįirst, don’t panic if your book is wet. Here’s a demonstration of how to use it.įinally, if all else fails, try using the citrus-based Brodex Multipurpose Cleaner. It’s a kind of pink putty that picks up an amazing amount of stains and dirt when you apply it to a page. Rub a small piece of the sponge over the stain you want to remove, discarding the sponge bit when it’s no longer effective.Ībsorbene is a book person’s best friend. Vulcanized rubber dirt erasers, often called dry cleaning sponges, are the second. Stainsĭocument cleaning pads are a good first step for stain removal too. Leave the book in the cold for a few hours. Luckily, a stint in the freezer will make it easier to pop that gunk off the page with a razor. Food residue is some of the worst of this category, but not the only culprit by far. Grime is any gross stuff that you can feel when you run your finger over it. The paper towel will absorb the grease within hours or days. Close the book and put weight on top of it. It’s got groove, it’s got feeling, but it can’t stay in your book. If you’re serious about the war on mildew, check out Biblio’s article on the stuff. Keeping your library clean is a great way to prevent mold and mildew from becoming a problem. (Don’t let these substances get on the book itself.) That should absorb the last of the musty scent. Brush away the infection only after protecting the rest of the book and gently swab moldy spots with tiny amounts of denatured alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.Īfter you’ve cleaned away the mold, put the book in a sealed container with baking soda or activated charcoal for a few hours. Remember, mold and mildew are both alive and contagious. To treat mildewed or moldy pages, place a sheet of wax paper under the infected page before you treat it. ![]() It’s also a good idea to spot-test before applying. When that’s not possible, dampen a clean cloth very lightly with denatured alcohol and use it on covers, making sure to dry them thoroughly afterward. Use a fresh cloth or brush to remove mildew if you can see it. Mold and mildew are both bad for your health. If not, it’s time to kill some microorganisms.ĭon a dust mask. If your library of old volumes smells like a library of new volumes, then you’re doing your cleaning job well. The familiar and beloved “old book smell” is mostly mildew, which is terrible for your books. Tackle Grime, Mold, And Stains Mold and Mildew Gently squeeze them over the afflicted area to release some of their powder. Once that’s done, brush away dirt on and in between the pages.ĭocument cleaning pads are a good option for getting caked dirt off a book. Use the vacuum to pull out any dust that’s built up on the binding or cover. If it’s got a dust jacket, take that off. However, when you need to clean dirt from between pages, you’ll be glad for long bristles.įlip the book onto its spine. Soft cloth can replace the brush to an extent, as long as it’s not scented. Consider putting a clean cloth over the vacuum hose to weaken it. For this step, you’ll need a gentle (!!) vacuum and a soft paintbrush or unused soft toothbrush. ![]() Get The Dirt Firstĭirt is the low-hanging fruit when it comes to how to clean books. If your book is allergic to citrus cleaner, for example, then you’ll know to avoid that. Then, one at a time, test any cleaning supplies that you want to use on small, unimportant pieces of the cover, dust jacket, pages, etc. List everything you want to do to the book before you start. ![]()
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