How to Remove Mold From Books – Prism Specialties

Mold in your home is frustrating and can be particularly troublesome when found on books or paper goods that have sentimental value. If you find a moldy book in your collection, your first instinct may be to throw out your beloved read, but don’t worry. many books can be cleaned and remediated. Read on to learn how to protect your favorite books from mold and mildew.

Remember, exposure to mold can put you or your family at risk for serious health problems. stay safe and choose prism specialties for professional mold removal. Call (800) 227-0796 or request service online to get started.

You are reading: How to remove mold from books

how to detect mold & mold on the books

Before you can fix the damage, you need to know what you’re working with.

mold: A telltale sign of mold is a fuzzy growth of any color or white spots on the pages of the book. If you know that it has suffered from water damage in the past, you can assume that your book has mold. Removing mold quickly after an incident is the best way to prevent infection or irritation.

Mold: If your books have a strange odor or you notice spots and dust flakes, there may be mold on your books. Any abnormal odor coming from your book is a sign of moisture and should be removed to prevent future mold growth and damage to the book.

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how to clean moldy books

If you find a small number of books showing signs of mold or mildew growth, you may choose to start with home cleaning solutions, including:

roof cleaning

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For a dry book cover, use a soft cloth and wipe the book cover with diluted alcohol. be sure to use gentle strokes so as not to damage the book cover. If the cover is leather, you can use the same method, but be sure to test the alcohol solution in an inconspicuous place to make sure it doesn’t discolor.

For a wet book cover, shake off excess water from the surface of the book. Gently blot the book cover to remove any water that has seeped into the pages. place paper towels between cover and book contents and apply gentle pressure. repeat as needed. Once you feel your book starting to dry, sunlight or fans can help speed up the drying process.

dry cleaning of books

If the book is dry, slide a sheet of waxed paper between each affected page to eliminate the spread of mildew. use a soft brush on each affected page to remove any mold or mildew. then lightly moisten the affected area with diluted hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol, applied with a clean towel or paper towel, to eliminate the opportunity for this fungus to grow back. remove the wax paper after the diluted alcohol has dried.

cleaning wet books

If your book is wet, time is of the essence! do not try to brush or clean the pages as they will easily tear or smudge. instead, place the book in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer until you can give it proper care to stop the impact of water damage. When you’re ready, take your book out of the freezer and let it thaw. then place paper towels or rags between each page of the book and wrap the entire book in a towel. the next step is to put a heavy object on top to press the moisture into the blotters. repeat the process as needed. Once you feel your book starting to dry, direct sunlight or a light fan can help speed up the drying process. Once dry, remove the blotters.

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Remember, exposure to mold can pose a risk to your health. If you’re concerned about cleaning moldy books in your home, call Prism Specialties. our trained technicians can help remediate damaged books off-site, keeping you and your family safe from prolonged exposure to mold.

how to prevent mold & mold on the books

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Want to avoid repeated problems with moldy books? take a look at these tips:

use a dehumidifier: high humidity is one of the main reasons why the books in your house get moldy. By running a dehumidifier in rooms used for book storage, you can reduce the risk of future mold growth.

use the sun: The instant a book gets wet, immediately place it in direct sunlight to kill mold spores. this will prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

No Plants: While houseplants have many benefits, they do add moisture to the air. consider keeping them out of your library or office.

dry immediately: Drying wet books immediately with layers of absorbent materials between each page can reduce the chance of mold or mildew developing. The longer you let the damp book sit, the more likely it is to develop mold and mildew problems.

keep your books clean: dirty surfaces attract mold and mildew spores. this means that storage or hoarding tendencies can increase spores, mold and mildew.

prism specialties offers specialized restoration services

many of the techniques listed above are more suitable for small incidents. If you need large-scale water damage or restoration services, the team at Prism Specialties offers cleaning, mold removal, and water damage restoration for fine art, taxidermy, and many other items. To connect with your local prism specialty office, fill out our online contact form or call us at (800) 227-0796 today.

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Do you also have some soaked appliances? our colleagues at electronic restoration services can restore water damaged electronics.

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