Opening a new Bible using some care can increase its longevity for several years. Additional care for the first time you open it - and others over the long term - can help strengthen the physical condition of the Bible even more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Open a New Bible
Step 1. Place the rib on a hard surface
Hold the Bible closed with one hand, and place the spine on a table or counter.
During this procedure, you will need to use one hand to hold one portion of the Bible closed and straight, while the other hand will be used to unfold and unfold each section
Step 2. Open the covers
Keeping the pages closed, carefully open the front and back covers: open the covers gently until they are flat on the table.
Instead of having the covers open quickly, it would be better to open them slowly and place them on the table using your free hand
Step 3. Unfold and spread out a portion of the home pages
Carefully, open the first 50-100 pages of the Bible, spread them out on the table, and then slowly run your fingers up and down along the caesura with the edge of the top page, pressing down on the binding as you move them.
This gesture gently stretches the seams of the Bible binding, making the pages more flexible and easier to turn and manage. As a result, it will be more difficult for the pages of the book to come loose or come off completely when you use it
Step 4. Unfold and spread out a portion of the final pages
Open the last 50-100 pages of the Bible and spread them out on the table. With firm delicacy, again run your fingers up and down along the caesura with the binding here as well.
- This final portion should be the same thickness as the initial portion.
- Alternating between the beginning and end of the book, make sure the seams are stretched equally in both directions.
Step 5. Repeat for the remaining pages
Keep opening and spreading portions of the Bible using the same technique, alternating the beginning and ending, repeating as many times as necessary until the Bible is exactly half open.
Once the book is fully open on the table, the "opening" process will be complete
Part 2 of 3: Strengthening a New Bible
Step 1. Let it rest
If you ordered your Bible on the internet and it was mailed to you in a period of freezing temperatures, open the package and let the book rest at room temperature overnight before touching it.
- Low temperatures can make bindings stiff and brittle, causing them to lose their natural flexibility: opening and consulting the book while it is in this state could weaken the seams or glue that hold it together.
- If you bought your Bible at a store or received it in the mail during a period of mild or warm temperatures, this step is not necessary.
Step 2. Apply oil to the genuine leather covers
Gently apply mink or ox's foot oil to the genuine leather cover of the Bible, allowing it time to soak up overnight.
- Dip a small portion of a clean cloth in the oil, and gently rub it all over the cover using small circular motions.
- Coat the entire cover evenly, using as little oil as possible.
- Any excess oil must be removed with a clean cloth.
- The cover will initially be sticky, but when the oil is absorbed it will return to normal.
Step 3. Treat the tip of the bookmark tape
If the Bible has a bookmark tape, hold the tip to prevent it from fraying. You can use a special liquid or a small flame for this.
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Anti-lint liquid is the easiest and safest solution.
- The anti-fraying liquid is easily found in haberdashery or in shops specialized in decoupage.
- Apply a drop of the liquid to the tip of the tape, spreading it along the edges in a thin layer.
- Let the liquid dry.
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If the bookmark is acetate and not silk, you can use a match or small lighter to prevent the tips from fraying.
- Hold the tips of the tape over a small flame for about 5 seconds, making sure they don't catch fire.
- Remove the tape from the flame and pinch the tips between your fingers to cool and squeeze them.
Break in a Bible Step 9 Step 4. Scroll through the pages
If the Bible has gold edges, scroll through the pages quickly, while running your thumb along each edge - this will help to detach the pages that are stuck together.
- Many modern Bibles are decorated with colored borders: they are painted red with a gold foil dissolved in the color, creating an orange-golden gradation that lasts longer than the gold borders. Since the gold foil has been melted on the edges of the pages, they initially have a tendency to stick.
- Flipping through the pages quickly with your thumb should separate most of them, but if you still find pages stuck later, you should be able to carefully peel them off by rubbing the two pages between your thumb and forefinger.
Part 3 of 3: Part Three: Long-Term Bible Care
Break in a Bible Step 10 Step 1. Keep the Bible out of direct sunlight
Do not leave the book exposed to direct sunlight or in very hot areas for extended periods of time.
- Sunlight causes discoloration of the cover and the decoration on the edges of the pages.
- The heat can dry out the leather - real or synthetic - and make it stiffen.
Break in a Bible Step 11 Step 2. Avoid moisture
Keep the Bible as dry as possible, especially if the cover is genuine leather. Keep it in a dry place.
- Excess moisture causes the leather, real or synthetic, to dry out.
- Moisture and water can also cause mold to develop.
- Contact with water causes the pages to curl and wave.
Break in a Bible Step 12 Step 3. Keep the Bible standing
If you want to keep the Bible standing on a shelf or bookcase, make sure both sides are supported by other books or bookends.
If you keep the book resting on the back cover, no other support is needed
Break in a Bible Step 13 Step 4. Underline carefully
If you intend to underline portions of the Bible or write notes during your studies, use a pencil, ballpoint pen, or other tools specifically designed for the purpose.
Do not use felt-tipped pens, markers or highlighters, gel ink or roller tips - the ink produced by these writing tools typically pierces pages, causing them to stick and making your notes difficult to read
Break in a Bible Step 14 Step 5. Use the Bible regularly
The best way to keep the Bible in good condition is to use it regularly - the natural oils produced by your hands should keep the leather or imitation leather in good condition.
- The oil allows the leather and imitation leather to remain elastic and easy to handle; your skin produces natural oils, which should be enough on their own to keep the cover in good condition if you handle it regularly.
- If you don't use this Bible for several months or years, you will need to add oil to it.
Break in a Bible Step 15 Step 6. Add oil as needed
You can keep genuine leather covers in even better condition by applying mink or ox foot oil every 1-2 years.
- This is especially effective if you don't use the Bible regularly.
- Apply a small amount of the oil of your choice with a clean cloth. Spread the oil evenly over the entire cover with gentle, small, circular motions.
- Remove excess oil with a clean cloth and let the book dry overnight.
Break in a Bible Step 16 Step 7. Quickly clean up dirt and stains
If you accidentally get your cover dirty, you can clean up the dirt or stain with warm water and a mild liquid detergent.
- Dip a clean, soft cloth in lukewarm water, wipe off excess water, and apply a drop of mild detergent liquid to the damp cloth. Rub the cleaner into the cloth until a thin layer forms.
- Remove any dirt or stain with the soapy cloth.
- Remove any soap residue with another damp cloth without detergent.
- Dry the cover carefully with a clean, dry cloth. Do not allow the cover to air dry.
