Removing Mildew from Books
Does anyone know how I might be able to remove mildew
from books? Our old yearbooks from school have mildew
on the front and back covers. Thanks.
- Theresa in Southern California
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RE: Removing Mildew from Books
Try putting your books in a bag with baking soda for awhile, a couple of weeks, works pretty well although some smell may still remain in the binding.
Post by cheapiecheap
Removing Mildew from Books
I have two open book cases in a small hallway. To the left leads to the laundry room to the right leads to the garage. These two bookcases have a number of paperback and hardback books and I need to clean them up.
I was told to put chips of charcoal in a mesh bag to help eliminate mold/mildew. In addition, I was told to clean the books outside with corn starch. Please advise.
Post By Brenda (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew from Books
I tried the microwave thing on some very old Dick and Jane Readers from 1946. I think it helped. I did 10 seconds each book. There is still some odor but not as much. These books were "new/unused" and in original plastic package. The package was worse than the books. I guess books need air. I am going to try the sunshine thing but not today, it's raining. :0)
Post By Jo (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew odor from Books
I recently purchased an old repair manual. It's a 3-ring vinyl binder with a few hundred pages. There is no sign of mold or water damage but has a strong musty smell. The edges on all the pages have an slight ordor but it's the vinyl 3-ring binder that has the strong musty smell. I've washed and dried the binder three times with Antibacterial Dawn, Pine-Sol and Lysol but with little results. Afterwards, I made the mistake of placing the binder on top of another binder, just for a day, and now that binder has the musty ordor that I can't get rid of.
I've tried freezing the binder and then boxing up with newspaper but no help in eliminating the ordor. I've now bought a box of Arm & Hammer cat litter. The question is, when I put the cat litter and the musty manual in a sealed container, do I set the manual right on top of the cat litter and also cover the manual with the litter? Will direct contact with the dry litter cause any damage to the vinyl binder and it"s paperwork?
Post By MIKE (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew from Books
I have heard that a (very)short time in the microwave will kill mold and mildew. Im not sure if it removes the smell though.
Post By Robert. (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew from Books
I have heard that a (very)short time in the microwave will kill mold and mildew. Im not sure if it removes the smell though.
Post By Robert. (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew from Books
RE the kitty litter tip - would that be the regular clay litter or the clumping type. Just want to be sure as I am unpacking a lot of books that have been stored in a very "uncontrolled" situation - ie, a big barn for 5 years. I only have smell on most of them, so I am looking fora way to do this in bulk.
Post By Katie (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew from Books
Hello! Please do not use bleach on books! Even a very diluted amount will eat through the paper. The best thing to do is put the book, if possible, in the freezer. That immediately kills the mold. Then take out of the freezer (at least one day later) and take rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab -- and wipe the mold off the book. Then put outside on a sunny day to help take the mold smell out. But don't leave the book out over night.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Removing Mildew from Books
Hi Theresa,
My best advice would be to brush off as much as possible, then wipe them down with a damp cloth with a little bleach (1 tbs. per cup of water), let them sit for a few minutes to give the bleach time to work. Then rinse with a damp cloth with clear water (use only a damp cloths so you don't get the covers too wet.) You might want to use a little Pledge on them after you finish and they are totally dry. That will seal the covers so hopefully they won't mildew again.
- Susan
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