Books left in a humid environment for a long time can take on an unpleasant musty smell. The first method suggests a solution to remove the odor using bicarbonate of soda. The second method, on the other hand, uses newspapers to absorb the smell of mold.
Steps
Step 1. Remove the book from the humid environment
If the book is wet, check how to fix it.
Step 2. Let it dry well
Leaving it open in a warm room will help the process.
Method 1 of 2: with Sodium Bircarbonate
Step 1. Pour some baking soda between the pages of the book once it is dry
If it's a very large book, pour the baking soda every couple of pages. The smell will not go away if you don't spread the baking soda in the right way, so be patient and take some time to do this activity.
Step 2. Leave the book open for a few days
Step 3. Remove the baking soda
You can remove it with your hands or using a soft makeup brush if the book is precious and delicate. Avoid shaking the book to remove baking soda unless the cover is very sturdy or the book itself is sturdy or in great condition.
Step 4. Repeat the action if the smell persists
Alternatively, make a decision: maybe you should throw it away / recycle it and buy a new copy of the book. Sometimes the humidity damages the books so much that it is impossible to save them.
Method 2 of 2: with the Journal
Step 1. Put newspaper pages between some pages of the book
Step 2. Crumple up the newspaper
Put it in a box or suitcase.
Step 3. Insert the moldy book between the crumpled sheets of newspaper
Close the box / suitcase and let it sit for about a week. Newsprint will absorb the musty smell. Once done, recycle the used newspaper.
