The old books represent a fascinating link with the past, albeit a rather fragile one. Dust, light stains and pencil marks are easy to remove; more serious damage caused by insects, acids or humidity are more difficult but not necessarily irreparable. However, if you are dealing with an ancient book, it is best to consult a professional.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Remove Dirt, Stains and Odors
Step 1. Blow the dust off the edges
Keep the book closed and blow on all sides to remove the dust. Remove the stubborn one using a clean, dry brush or a new, soft toothbrush.
Step 2. Erase smudges and pencil marks with a soft compound eraser
It is suitable for the pencil line and less abrasive than hard compound tires; however, use it gently to avoid tearing the paper. Rub it in one direction only.
Step 3. Remove stubborn residue with a cleaning eraser, such as Absorene
It is a soft and malleable substance similar to putty, capable of capturing grease and smoke residues from pages and bindings. Gently wipe the affected area to remove any dirt.
Step 4. Clean the leather bound volumes
Apply some shoe polish or house cleaning polish with a soft cloth. Test it on a corner of the book first to make sure it doesn't erase the ink. Once all the dirt has been removed, remove the polish with a clean cloth.
Step 5. Clean the canvas covers
Use a soft eraser, scrubbing it gently. If the book is really very dirty, you may need to use a cloth dampened with fabric softener. Keep in mind, however, that this method increases the likelihood of doing damage or causing mold to grow. Make sure the book is perfectly dry before putting it back on the shelf.
Step 6. Use a slightly damp cloth as a last resort
It is advisable to use it only on paperback covers or waterproof dust jackets. You can also use this method for particularly stubborn dirt, if you accept the risk of causing further damage. Here's how to minimize the likelihood of messing around:
- Take a microfiber cloth or a lint-free material;
- Wet the cloth with hot water, then wring it well;
- Wrap it in a towel and squeeze it again, then take it off (it should be barely damp at this point);
- Rub it carefully on the cover and very gently on the outer edges of the pages;
- Immediately afterwards, wipe the book with a dry cloth.
Step 7. Remove the sticky residue
You can easily wipe off label glue or other similar residue with a cotton swab dipped in baby or cooking oil. Press and rub into the glue stain until it goes away, then wipe off the oil with a clean swab.
Oil can stain certain materials; try it on a small area first
Step 8. Absorb bad smells
If the book smells musty, place it in a container along with something that can absorb odors and moisture. Try a sock filled with cat litter or rice, or lay the volume on talc-sprinkled newspaper.
Sunlight makes the process more effective; exposure to partial shade is however a good compromise, because it reduces the risk of discoloration
Method 2 of 2: Repair Serious Damage
Step 1. Dry wet books
Volumes that have fallen into water or onto which liquid has been spilled should be dried slowly and carefully. A drying cabinet would be ideal, but a surface next to a radiator or sunny window is also fine. Open the book to allow air to circulate inside and gently turn the pages at regular intervals to prevent them from sticking together. Once dry, place it under several heavy books to flatten the pages and restore the original appearance.
Don't be tempted to use a hairdryer, oven or fan - they can easily damage pages and tear them off the binding
Step 2. Freeze the insect infested books
If the book is full of small holes, or if bits of paper come off when you move it, it may be infested with Psocoptera ("book lice") or other paper-eating parasites. To prevent further damage, close it in a frost bag, let the air out, and keep it in the freezer for several weeks to kill insects and eggs.
Step 3. Check for mold attack
The first sign is usually a strong stale smell. Any book with wet or glued pages, deformed binding, or obvious defects due to contact with water could have this problem. Unfortunately, repairing mold damage is extremely difficult without hiring a professional. Store the volume in a warm, dry place to prevent the situation from getting worse.
If you see a hairy, white or gray mold, gently remove it with a soft cloth
Step 4. Repair the binding
In severe cases, you may need to repair the binding or rebind the book. It's not that hard if you practice enough, but it's best not to try to do it on rare or valuable volumes.
Step 5. Talk to a professional
Any librarian or rare book dealer should be able to advise you on more particular cases. If you have a valuable or antique volume, consider hiring a professional archivist to carry out the repairs.
