Books are an optimal place for mold growth as they can get damp easily, and then sit boxed for months at a time. Unfortunately though, because book pages are so thin and easily ruined, and because they can’t be put in the washing machine, it can be very difficult to get mold out of books.
Book Covers and Spines
If mold has grown on the spine of a book it may be much easier to salvage versus mold growth on the inside pages, etc. There are a few things you can do in this instance:
- If the book is heavily molded,
1. Remove the book spine and outer covering so that only the pages remain. 2. Be sure to check and make sure there is no growth in the pages of the book as well. 3. Depending on how special the book is to you, make a paper bag outer covering or have it professionally re-spined and bound.
- If the book is lightly molded,
1. Brush any topical mold off the spine or covering. 2. Dampen a sponge or washcloth with a detergent/bleach/water mixture and very lightly brush over the mold contaminated area. Be careful not to wet the book too much as this could cause worse mold growth in the future. 3. Set the book out in the sun to dry, as the sun can kill many types of mold spores. 4. Repeat the procedure as necessary.
Mold on the Pages of Books
What can you do about mold growth on the inside of a book? This is a more difficult task as the pages of books are so delicate. Follow the given steps below as a best effort to salvage your book:
- Brush any topical mold off the pages.
- Dampen a sponge or washcloth with a detergent/bleach/water mixture and very lightly brush over the mold contaminated areas. Be careful not to soak through the pages as they will dry and stick together permanently.
- Open the books and set them in the sun to dry, as the sun can kill many types of mold spores. If the breeze is able to blow through the book it will help the pages to dry quicker as well.
- Repeat the procedure as necessary.
Best Wishes as you battle the fight against mold and salvage your books!
Further Recommended Reading:
Joslyn from the MoldBlogger team
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