With frequent use and continuous transport, your favorite books can get dirty, get dusty or even get stained. While it is best to consult with conservation experts to clean and preserve old or very delicate books, you can still take care of cleaning modern ones yourself that are in relatively good condition. You need to get hold of some essential tools and you need to be prepared to work very gently to properly clean and care for your precious tomes.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Organizing the Cleaning Tools and Workspace
Step 1. Get several tools
The various parts of the book require specific cleaning methods. You will need to have several tools on hand to deal with potential problems that may arise during the procedure.
- A rubber eraser is perfect for removing small pencil marks, smudges, and relatively small blemishes on pages.
- A soft cloth such as a white T-shirt cutout is great for gently cleaning dirty surfaces; you can also try using an electrostatic cloth to loosen and hold the dust.
- You may also need a soft-bristled brush, such as a toothbrush, to clean the edges of the pages and the binding.
- If the book is very dirty or dusty, you can use a vacuum cleaner; apply an accessory equipped with a soft brush and set a reduced suction power.
- You can also use a document cleaning pad - a cheesecloth-like fabric filled with powdered eraser - which helps remove layers of dust from the pages, as well as smudges from the satin dust jacket.
Step 2. Gather the necessary cleaning solutions
You need different products to manage the various elements of the book and the points that present specific problems; Make sure you have petroleum jelly, a plasticine-like cleaning eraser, paper towels, and baking soda on hand.
Step 3. Choose a suitable place for cleaning
Once all the material is gathered, prepare a comfortable and well-lit area; you need a lot of space to work comfortably without fear of getting a little dirty.
Step 4. Place the book on a padded wedge
You have to find a way to support it when you clean it; have padded material that allows you to keep the book partially open, but not completely, so that you can turn the pages without running the risk of breaking the binding.
You can use clean, rolled-up towels to make a homemade book wedge, or you can purchase a foam set
Step 5. Make a note of what you need to clean
Check the book carefully and make a list of all areas that need treatment. Put small pieces of paper between the pages you need to treat to mark them.
Step 6. Wash your hands
You don't have to add any more dirt or oil to the book when you touch it with dirty fingers; even if you think they are clean, they are still covered in natural sebum which you absolutely must remove before you start cleaning.
Part 2 of 3: General Cleaning
Step 1. Start with the outer edges of the book
Keep it tightly closed and use a soft cloth or toothbrush to gently scrub the edges of the pages; start from the top, or head, and rub from the back; then proceed from the front edge, that is the one opposite to the back, and finally take care of the lower part, or foot.
Proceed with extreme caution with any creases or damaged edges; use a soft brush to work very gently on these points
Step 2. Brush the spine and outer edges
Use a cloth or brush, moving only in one direction; to protect the cover you have to mentally divide it into two halves and rub from the center, not from edge to edge.
- If the back has raised horizontal bands, rub in their direction instead of perpendicular.
- Watch out for any damaged edges, leather corners or decorations; prevents the toothbrush or cloth from getting stuck in these items.
Step 3. Use the vacuum cleaner if there is a lot of dust or mold on the outside surface
Make sure the accessory has an extremely soft bristle brush and set the appliance to minimum power. Turn it on, proceeding very gently and carefully to suck up the dust and moving the tube in one direction only. Start from the top, starting from the front edge towards the foot; then conclude with the spine and the outer covers.
If the book is damaged, put cheesecloth or nylon stocking on the end of the vacuum cleaner attachment; set it to medium power to vacuum the dust without touching the book and run it just above the surface
Step 4. Clean the dust jacket
Many modern books are equipped with this element; such a paper cover typically has a satin or glossy finish. Although it is very beautiful and inviting, it often fills with dust and can even tear; use a soft cloth to gently clean it and remove all traces of dust or dirt.
Step 5. Clean the pages
Place the book on the foam wedges, open it carefully and turn the pages; use a soft cloth or toothbrush to scrub them starting from the center of the book towards the edges, gradually removing the dust.
Step 6. Deal with the musty smell
If the book smells like mildew that you can't isolate in a few individual pages, put it in a sealable plastic bag and pour in some baking soda or unscented cat litter; leave it in the bag for at least 12 hours, up to two weeks.
Part 3 of 3: Eliminate Marks and Stains
Step 1. Use an eraser to remove smudges and small marks on the pages
Always follow one direction when scrubbing; when finished, take a soft cloth to remove the gum residue.
Although the eraser can remove most pencil and some pen strokes, it probably cannot remove black spots. It may be impossible to remove black ink or food stains from the book without damaging the pages
Step 2. Deal with insect infestations by freezing the book
If you notice any signs of parasites between pages, brush off any residue or eggs; then put the book in a plastic bag for the freezer and perfectly sealed, then put it in the freezer for 24 hours, in order to kill possible pests. Slowly defrost the book by placing it in the fridge first for 8 hours.
Step 3. Use a cleaning eraser for stubborn stains
It is a product with a consistency similar to Play-Doh that is sold in tubes. Take a small amount and roll it in your hands to warm it; then rub the hot ball on each page of the book or on the fabric cover. Again, move in one direction only.
Step 4. Remove grease stains with paper towels
It can be difficult to completely get rid of oil and grease stains, especially if they have had time to penetrate well. Try pressing some blotting paper between the pages of the book, close it and apply pressure with another heavy volume. Let the paper absorb the dirt for two to three days and then check for improvements; repeat the treatment if necessary.
- If it is food stains, remove them first; put the book in the freezer for 24 hours and then scrape off the food residue with a plastic knife.
- To make an artisanal ballast to apply on the book, fill a canvas bag with rice or dried beans; make sure it is well sealed before using it.
Step 5. Clean the dust jacket stains
Depending on the material it is made of, you need to get different types of cleaning products that work without causing damage.
- If it is satin, that is, it does not have a glossy finish, you can gently address the stains by shaking a cleaning pad for documents, so that it releases a rubber dust; afterwards, rub the powder on the surface and finally brush away the residue.
- If it is a shiny material, rub some petroleum jelly on the stains with a soft cloth; then use a different cloth to remove traces of product and completely remove dirt.
Advice
Leather bindings should be treated once a year with a specific book restoration conditioner or oil rather than a generic leather product
Warnings
- Use extra caution with a book bound in leather and parchment, as this is an antique item for which home cleaning is not the best solution. Instead, you should take it to an antique book dealer or collector for specific recommendations for your volume's specific needs.
- Do not use bleach or other household cleaning products to try to remove stains, as these are solutions that almost always ruin books.
