How to Repair a Wet Book
Shake any excess water from the book., Remove dirt or debris., Gently apply pressure using a clean, white towel., Wipe down and blot the front and back cover.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Shake any excess water from the book.
Blotting is best done with a book that has not been completely waterlogged.
If your book has encountered a spill or fallen into a puddle, pick it up by its spine, and shake any remaining water from the pages and spine with a gentle side-to-side motion.
When done carefully, blotting can minimize fading and wrinkling. -
Step 2: Remove dirt or debris.
Carefully remove debris left behind from the water.
This could be soggy leaves from a puddle or a candy wrapper from a water ring.
Whatever the case may be, remove debris to avoid further damaging the paper you are drying.To remove debris from a damp book, remove it with your fingers or a pair of tweezers.
To remove debris from a waterlogged book, gather a large tub of clean, fresh water, and gently dip the book into the water, removing it slowly.
This will pull the debris free without risking damage to the already-wet pages. , Blot each page gently, using a clean white cloth, or a white paper towel.
Moving the cloth side-to-side can tear wet pages.
Blot each page gently and carefully before moving on to the next.If the pages are only slightly damp, you can place the rag between each page.
If the pages are entirely waterlogged, however, blot any pages stuck together as a single page. , For a paperback cover, blotting is safest, as you still run the risk of ripping the paper.
A hardback book may be wiped down, though the movement still needs to be light and gentle.
Because the covers are more durable and hardier than the individual pages of the book, they do not need to be tended to as quickly.
Do not neglect the cover.
Once you’ve finished drying, make sure you dry the covers thoroughly, as leaving water on the cover could damage the book’s binding and encourage mold growth. -
Step 3: Gently apply pressure using a clean
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Step 4: white towel.
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Step 5: Wipe down and blot the front and back cover.
Detailed Guide
Blotting is best done with a book that has not been completely waterlogged.
If your book has encountered a spill or fallen into a puddle, pick it up by its spine, and shake any remaining water from the pages and spine with a gentle side-to-side motion.
When done carefully, blotting can minimize fading and wrinkling.
Carefully remove debris left behind from the water.
This could be soggy leaves from a puddle or a candy wrapper from a water ring.
Whatever the case may be, remove debris to avoid further damaging the paper you are drying.To remove debris from a damp book, remove it with your fingers or a pair of tweezers.
To remove debris from a waterlogged book, gather a large tub of clean, fresh water, and gently dip the book into the water, removing it slowly.
This will pull the debris free without risking damage to the already-wet pages. , Blot each page gently, using a clean white cloth, or a white paper towel.
Moving the cloth side-to-side can tear wet pages.
Blot each page gently and carefully before moving on to the next.If the pages are only slightly damp, you can place the rag between each page.
If the pages are entirely waterlogged, however, blot any pages stuck together as a single page. , For a paperback cover, blotting is safest, as you still run the risk of ripping the paper.
A hardback book may be wiped down, though the movement still needs to be light and gentle.
Because the covers are more durable and hardier than the individual pages of the book, they do not need to be tended to as quickly.
Do not neglect the cover.
Once you’ve finished drying, make sure you dry the covers thoroughly, as leaving water on the cover could damage the book’s binding and encourage mold growth.
About the Author
Denise Chapman
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.
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