How to Remove Mildew and Mildew Odor From Books

Use talcum powder or cornstarch to dry out mildewed pages.

Books stored in warm, damp, poorly lit areas are the perfect hosts for mildew. It is especially hard to clean the delicate pages and spines of mildew-stained books. Mildew discolors pages and sometimes eats into them until they rot and fall apart. Avoid mildew by storing books in a clean, dry and well-ventilated area.

Things You'll Need

• Soft brush
• Cornstarch or talcum powder

Instructions

1. Remove any loose mildew from the book, wiping gently with a soft brush or piece of cloth. If the books are very damp you may want to skip this step until after the book has dried out.

2. Fan out the pages of mildewed books and place them in a room where a fan can gently circulate the air.

3. Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder between the pages of the book to draw out moisture. Leave the books with their pages spread for several hours.

4. Brush off any cornstarch or powder residue after the book has dried to remove mildew still on the pages.

5. Move the book outdoors in the sunlight for a short period to remove any residual odor. Do not dry the book outside in the sun because it may cause the paper to darken or fade.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use bleach on paper. Even a small, diluted amount will cause damage.

• If your books are valuable or have great sentimental value take them to a professional to have the mildew removed.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Removing Mildew From Paper and Books
• Library of Congress: Collections Care