Things You'll Need:
- Particle
- Soft brush
- Fan (optional)
- Microwave or freezer
- Old sheet
- Rubbing alcohol
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Step 1
Put on a particle mask to prevent inhalation of mold spores. Take the affected books outdoors, if possible, and remove any loose mildew from the covers and pages using a soft, dry brush. If the pages are wet, place them in an airy place, such as under a fan or outdoors in a breeze, to dry thoroughly.
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Step 2
Place the books in the microwave, one at a time, and turn on high for 10 seconds. Repeat with each of the affected books to kill any remaining live mildew. Alternatively, you can place the books in a freezer overnight to kill mildew, if placing them in the microwave is impossible or undesirable.
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Step 3
Remove the books from the microwave or freezer. Spread an old sheet over a flat working surface and place the books on top.
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Step 4
Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe any affected areas of the books to remove stuck-on mildew. This works on pages and covers, but be sure not to soak the paper. Lightly swab or dab the pages to clean the mildew.
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Step 5
Place the cleaned books outdoors in a sunny location to dry. If the pages were cleaned, open the books and fan out the pages to dry. Leave for several hours and all mildew and the associated smell should be gone.
