How to Clean Book Mildew

Remove mildew from books with common household items.

Older books tend to form mold and mildew on them when stored in high-humidity and damp areas. Once the books form mold, they will begin to smell musty. You can remove the mold from the books by dusting the mold off and drying it out thoroughly to prevent the mold from returning. When you remove the mold from books, you need to select a well-ventilated location to keep from spreading the mold around and breathing it in because it can make you sick.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch
• Old toothbrush
• Vacuum cleaner with attachments
• Damp cloth
• Large container with lid
• Charcoal briquettes

Instructions

1. Dry out damp books before removing the mildew. Open the pages of the book, and fan them out by placing the book standing on its bottom edge. Sprinkle cornstarch over damp pages to absorb the moisture.

2. Take the books outside to keep from spreading the mold spores around your home. Dust the mold off with an old toothbrush. You can also vacuum the book with small nozzle attachments.

3. Wipe washable book covers and pages with a damp cloth. Pat the cloth onto the book gently, and remove mold stains from hardcover books with diluted bleach.

4. Place the book in a large container with a lid. Place charcoal briquettes in the bottom of the container, and seal it to remove the musty smell of the mold. Allow the books to sit in the container for three days.

5. Store the books in a dry location that has low humidity.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: How to Remove Mildew
• North Dakota State University: Remove Mold for a Healthy Home
• Northeast Document Conservation Center: Emergency Salvage of Moldy Books and Paper
• Litterascripta: How to Clean Your Books Safely