It is easy for books to fall into the wrong hands.If you live in a humid climate, the pages of your books may develop a musty smell.Although the presence of an unpleasant smell does not necessarily mean anything dangerous is growing in the pages of your favorite tomes, mold and mildew may be responsible for a musty smell.Getting rid of the problem is easy and requires either absorbing the smell, cleaning your books, or letting them air out.
Step 1: The book needs to be removed from its environment.
Many books become musty due to living in a damp environment.To combat your book's smell, you need to remove it from the problematic environment.Before using any of the deodorizing methods, be sure to dry your book.
Step 2: Place your books in a sealed container.
You can put your books in a sealed container with an open canister of baking soda.The sealed environment will allow the baking soda to absorb odors from the book.Cat litter and cornstarch can be used to absorb odors.
Step 3: For a few days, allow the soda to sit.
Your books will not be disturbed for 3-7 days if you set them aside.Baking soda will have plenty of time to absorb both the smell and the water in the books.The cover of a hardcover book can hold more water.
Step 4: The baking soda and books are in the container.
If there are any smells or damp pages, check them out.Put your materials back into your sealed container if your book is still damp or smells bad.
Step 5: There is a store in a dry area.
If you have to store your books in humid areas, opt out.Cookbooks can be stored in a dining room instead of a kitchen, and bathroom interest books can also be placed on a shelf outside of the bathroom.Most basement and attics are prone to encourage mold growth and develop excessive humidity, so don't store books there.
Step 6: Use breathing tools.
You want to make sure you don't get sick from working with mold or mildew.Put a mask over your mouth and nose.If you are prone to watery eyes, you may want to wear protective glasses.If you have asthma or other respiratory issues, don't attempt mold clean-up yourself.Breathing conditions can be worsened by mold.
Step 7: Remove any mold growth.
If there are any visible sources of mold in your book, you can gently wipe them away with a cloth.Alcohol won't remove all of the staining caused by mold, but it will kill the spores and eliminate the smell.You may need to take your books to a professional for cleaning if they have a lot of mold.
Step 8: Don't wait to dry your books.
After cleaning your books, make sure to dry them.If you want to dry them with a hair dryer, you can use an air dry method.The age of the books will affect the method you choose.Older books may be damaged by high heat, but newer books will not be degraded by being dried with a hair dryer.
Step 9: The store is in a dry area.
Store your books in a dry area to prevent mold growth.If your books are prone to damage, you may want to store them in large tupperware bins.
Step 10: You can choose a sunny area.
The sun can help speed up the drying of your books.You can place your books in the sun and be safe from animals and bugs.Old books can be damaged by exposure to sunlight and this method is best for newer books.There is a large, sunny window if you don't have an open area with access to sunlight.
Step 11: The book should be open and upright.
With the pages facing the sun, place your book upright, fanning them out as much as you can.This will allow the sun and warmth to reach your book.Your book will dry quicker if it gets more warmth and sunlight.It's important that the pages don't stick together, as sunlight could encourage already-tacky pages to do so.
Step 12: Dry for a few days.
For a few days, dry your book in this fashion.While drying the pages will prevent the growth of mold, the sun will dry them.Bring books inside during the night and place them outside when the sun comes up to keep the water out.You can use an indoor space with a window if you can't keep your books outside.