Q&A for How to Clean Old Books

Use a very soft paint brush, preferably with natural bristles. Gently sweep the dust off the pages.

You might try using very fine sandpaper. Close the book and set on a hard surface. Using very light stroke, move the fine sandpaper vertically down the outside. If this produces good results, do the tops and bottom in the same fashion, but move the sandpaper horizontally.

Use a soft, natural bristle brush to remove the white dust. Do not reshelve them immediately. Pay close attention to see if the dust returns.

Use a hot damp cloth to wipe down the cover, but make sure to only do this on hard cover books.

You can try white out to cover it.

Get a glue gun and glue the binding back on the book with three lines of glue on the inside.

Try using soap and water first. If that doesn't work, use vinegar and baking soda and scrub gently.

To remove dried flower stains, gently brush off any loose residue with a soft brush. Place blotting paper on both sides of the page and use a warm iron on a low setting to absorb the stain. If needed, dab with a cloth dampened with distilled water, testing a small area first. Let the page air dry completely under a heavy book to prevent warping.

Wear gloves and a mask for protection, gently remove the droppings with a soft brush or tweezers, dispose of the old box and use a new one, air out the comics in a well-ventilated area, lightly wipe the edges with a damp cloth being careful not to get them too wet, and store the comics in acid-free bags or boxes. For extra caution, consider consulting a professional conservator.

Blot the area with a clean cloth to soak up excess WD-40. Use a damp cloth with mild dish soap to gently blot the stain, then rinse with a cloth dampened with water to remove the soap. Let the pages air dry or use a fan. If the stain remains, consult a professional conservator.

You can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar with a sharp tool like a knife, but proceed carefully.

If the pages are only partially stuck together, try to carefully separate them with a thin spatula. If you hear ripping, use a damp cloth or paper towel to gently dab the back of the stuck pages. Be careful not to soak the pages, as this can cause more damage. Let the book air dry in a warm, dry place and repeat the process until the pages are unstuck.

To clean a sticky paperback cover, gently wipe it with a damp cloth. If needed, add mild soap to the water and clean the cover. Use a soft white eraser to remove sticky spots. Dust with cornstarch or baby powder for oily residue, then wipe it off. Be careful to avoid damaging the cover.

To remove soot from fire-damaged books, gently brush off loose soot with a soft brush, use a white eraser on stubborn marks, and sprinkle cornstarch on soot, then brush it off. Wipe the cover with a damp cloth to remove marks and let the book air dry in a well-ventilated area. For severe damage, consider professional help.

Using shoe stain could help restore color, but be cautious. Test on a small area first, apply lightly to avoid over-darkening, and buff gently for a slight shine. If the magazines are valuable, consider professional help to avoid damage.

To remove yellow stains from paper, gently rub the stain with a soft white eraser, dab the area with a cloth dampened with water and mild soap, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the stain and let it sit before brushing it off, or place the paper in indirect sunlight for a short time to fade the stain. If the stain doesn’t go away, consider professional help.

The gray lint or dust near the spine of your new book could be from printing or binding residue, excess glue, packaging materials, or shedding from lower-quality paper. You can gently wipe it off with a soft cloth or use a lint roller. If it's excessive, consider contacting the seller for a replacement.

Place a clean, dry cloth between the affected pages to absorb moisture and press the book under a flat, heavy object for a day. Use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting to gently dry the pages, and place wax paper between the pages to iron on low heat through a cloth. Be careful not to overheat the paper.

Lightly dampen a clean, white cloth with distilled water and test on a small, hidden area. Dab the stain gently to rehydrate and blend the edges without over-saturating. Let the book air dry upright in a well-ventilated area. If needed, use a soft brush with mild soap diluted in water, dab, and then dry. Handle with care to avoid damage.

Chocolate stains likely came from eating while reading. The orange substance could be food, mold, or rust, especially if the books were stored in a damp place. Dust and gravel suggest they were stored in an open or dirty area, like a garage or attic. To prevent this, keep books in clean, dry places and avoid eating near them.

To reduce foxing (the reddish-brown) stains on books: 1. Use a soft brush to gently remove surface dirt and dust. 2. Lightly dab the affected areas with a clean, barely damp cloth (using distilled water only). Test a small, hidden area first. 3. For stubborn stains, consult a professional book conservator. Avoid harsh chemicals as they can damage the pages.

Yellow marks from an old bookmark are often due to acids in the bookmark material. To reduce them, gently clean the page with a soft brush or eraser designed for paper. Be careful not to tear the page. Lightly dab with a cloth slightly dampened with distilled water. Test a small, inconspicuous area first. If the marks remain, consult a professional book conservator, as removing stains from paper requires care to avoid further damage.

Wipe the books with 70% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. If the book has glossy pages or covers, you can clean it with alcohol to sanitize the surface.

Mineral spirits should remove most wax or oil-based polish. Even if it is a silicone polish, it likely has not been on the book long enough to cause major damage. Try to remove it using mineral spirits on a soft cloth with little pressure.

The best adhesive for applying gold to paper is a water-based adhesive suitable for flat gilding, though some craft glues can also work. After applying the adhesive, wait a few minutes until it becomes tacky; it should be sticky but not wet before you start applying the gold leaf sheets.

Gently brush the stained area with a soft, dry brush to remove surface dirt. Lightly dab with a barely damp cloth using distilled water, testing a small, hidden area first to avoid damage. If stains persist, use a vinyl eraser gently on the area. For valuable books, consult a professional conservator to avoid risks of further damage.

That's probably "foxing", which can be removed by diluting 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in a litre of water and dabbing the stains with a cotton bud soaked in the solution. Be careful because too much water will actually damage the pages (while foxing is just cosmetic).

It depends what type of book and whether it's on the cover or pages. I've gotten paint-like streaks off a leather-bound hardcover with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (70%) and a cotton pad. But, something like that wouldn't work on a hardcover with cloth boards or a paperback. It also wouldn't work to remove paint from the pages. On a case-wrap hardcover, it's not out of the question that it could work, but take care if you try it. The boards are just covered with glossy paper and while this might repel some moisture, too much (from the cotton pad) could warp the cover or damage the cover's ink.

I read an article that recommended "Absorene Book and Paper Cleaner." I haven't tried it myself, but the author of that article claimed that it is able to get rid of some of the symptoms of smoke damage. They also recommended Clean Cover Gel, which can be used on cloth boards and paperbacks, according to a product page I found for it on another site.

The heater is actually a bad idea. Books should not be stored above 75 degrees (and cooler than that is just fine). Humidity is the worst factor, and some heaters can increase relative humidity even in enclosed spaces. Adding airflow, if you can, will help decrease humidity (if the safe isn't in a damp environment).