Cleaning a used book?

[Liskeard]

Thank you very much to everyone who helped me identify the book about the elephant going to school. I managed to obtain a used copy which is generally in very good condition with only a very few marks and small stains, and a name inside the front cover.

Before I give it to my niece, I was considering gently cleaning it. I searched for how to clean a book and found all kinds of information, but some seemed too drastic and others appeared rather ineffective.

Has anyone cleaned a book before, and if so would you mind please sharing any practical tips? Is it just a case of using an old toothbrush and a soft cloth? Is there any way of "disinfecting" (for want of a less dramatic term) the book with only "dry" products?

Thank you very much again for any help; I appreciate it.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

This is a hardcover book, yes? About how old is it?

You can always white out the name in the front, of course, and perhaps a gentle rub might work for any marks on the cover. (Depends on the material.)

As far as anything else, maybe just sit it up and spread the pages and let the book air a bit if it's smelling musty or old.

 

[Liskeard]

Thanks very much for the help.

It is a hardcover book and it is from 1984. Unfortunately the name is written over a yellow patterned section of the page so white out isn't an option. Thanks for the idea though. I might scan the page, print a copy, and stick it down to cover the whole page.

Thanks for the tip to air it - I'll definitely let it stand for a few days.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Typically baking soda in a sealed type container ( or ziploc type) will absorb the musty odor in a book.
Good luck!

 

[starry_solo]

if there is a smell, put it in a large box and sprinkle baking soda over it.

 

[low-key]

put it in the Dishwasher

 

[sailorstitch]

I work in the refurbishment department at a book warehouse. It is literally my job to clean books.

It would help if I could see pictures of the book. At work we are given two tools, a scraper to remove stickers and a white eraser to remove light dirt.

 

[willowsnn3]

Thanks very much for the help.

It is a hardcover book and it is from 1984. Unfortunately the name is written over a yellow patterned section of the page so white out isn't an option. Thanks for the idea though. I might scan the page, print a copy, and stick it down to cover the whole page.

Thanks for the tip to air it - I'll definitely let it stand for a few days.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help!

Maybe you can find a really nice sticky type label to put over the name and write your niece's name on the label.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Maybe you can find a really nice sticky type label to put over the name and write your niece's name on the label.

I like this idea. You could even print up your own label - "This book belongs to:_______."

 

[marlynnp]

You can buy a small pack of self-adhesive bookplates and cover the existing name. Use an artists kneaded eraser on the marks.

 

[NotUrsula]

You can use a magic eraser to remove marks on a hardback cover. If the whole book is a mess and needs a serious cleaning, then it's time for an expert product: Absorene. You can order it from Demco.com Absorene is a clay-like cleaner that you form into a ball and roll over the pages to remove dust and dirt (don't try to use it like a sponge; it will just crumble.)

If the book smells like there might be mold present, bag it in a large ziploc, pressing all the air out, and put it in your freezer for a week. That will kill any mold spores that are present, so that you can then clean it up.

 

[CrankyDad]

Get digital copy. Why books are a dead medium

 

[Liskeard]

Thank you all very much for the tips and advice. They're all really helpful and I really appreciate them.

Should it help at this stage, here are some images:



Thank you all very much again!

 

[DisneyHardin]

The marks on the cover should come off pretty easily with a damp Magic eraser.

I can’t tell, is the sticker on the cover, or inside? If it’s on the cover, I would lay a damp cloth on it to dampen the sticker and then you should be able to peel it off.

 

[Kitty 34]

put it in the Dishwasher

I actually LOL at your post. Thanks, I needed that today!