How to Clean a Book
Gather a variety of cleaning implements., Assemble the necessary cleaning solutions., Choose an appropriate spot for cleaning., Place the book in a padded wedge., Record what needs to be cleaned., Wash your hands., Start with the outside edges of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Gather a variety of cleaning implements.
Different parts of the book will require their own cleaning methods.
You’ll want multiple tools on hand to address any potential problems your book may have.An artgum eraser is the perfect object for removing small pencil marks, smudges, and medium-sized blemishes on the pages.
A soft cloth such as cut-up white t-shirt works well for gently cleaning surface dirt.
You can also try an electrostatic cloth for an option that both lifts and holds dirt.
You’ll need a small, soft brush, such as a toothbrush, to clean bindings and page edges.
If your book is extremely dirty or dusty, you might need to vacuum the surface.
You’ll need a vacuum with a low-suction setting and a soft-brush attachment.A document cleaning pad, which is a sieved cloth filled with eraser dust, will help remove a layering of dust from the pages, as well as smudges from matte dust jackets. -
Step 2: Assemble the necessary cleaning solutions.
You’ll need a few different supplies to deal with your book’s various components and unique trouble spots.
Be sure to have access to petroleum jelly, a book cleaner putty, absorbent paper towels, and baking soda., Once you’ve collected all your supplies, set them up in a well-lit, comfortable work area.
You’ll want plenty of space to spread out in an area you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. , Your book will need to be supported as you clean it.
Use pads that keep the book partially but not completely open as you turn the pages.
This will prevent the binding from breaking.
You can use clean, rolled-up towels to create a homemade wedge for the book, or you can purchase a set of foam wedges. , Check the book over and make a list of all the areas that need to be cleaned.
Place small pieces of paper in between the pages that you’ll need to clean in order to bookmark them. , You don’t want to add to the grime or oils that may be plaguing your book by touching it with dirty hands.
Even if you think your hands are clean, you have natural oils on your skin that it’s crucial to remove before starting the cleaning process. , Keep the book firmly closed and use your soft cloth or toothbrush to gently brush the edges of the pages.
Start at the top, or head, and wipe away from the spine.
Continue with the fore-edge, or the edge opposite the spine, and the tail, or bottom of the book.
Use extreme caution with any tears or damaged edges.
Use the soft brush to very gently address these spots. , Wipe the spine with your cloth or brush, moving in one direction only.
In order to protect the boards, mentally divide the front and back cover into halves and wipe from that center rather than from one end to the other.
If the spine has raised horizontal bands, wipe across rather than up and over the bumps.
Be careful of any damaged edges, leather corners, or decoration.
Avoid snagging the brush or cloth on these elements. , Ensure that your attachment is an extremely soft brush, and place your vacuum on the lowest possible setting.
Gently and carefully vacuum up the dirt, moving in only one direction.
Start with the head, move to the fore-edge, then the tail, and finally finish with the spine and outer boards.
For damaged books, place some cheesecloth or a nylon stocking over the end of the vacuum.
Vacuum up the dirt on the medium setting without touching the book by hovering just above the surface of the book. , Many books now come with dust jackets.
These paper coverings are generally glossy or matte in finish.
While they’re attractive, they often get dusty and may also tear.
Use your soft cloth to gently brush any dust or dirt off the jacket. , Set the book in your wedges, carefully open the book, and turn the pages.
Use your soft cloth or toothbrush to wipe the page from the center of book outwards, removing dust as you go. , If your book has a musty smell that you can’t isolate to individual pages, place the book in a plastic, resealable bag with a sprinkling of baking soda or unscented cat litter.
Leave it in the bag for a minimum of 12 hours and up to two weeks. , Always erase in one direction only.
Use your soft cloth to brush away eraser crumbs when finished.
While the eraser should remove most pencil and some pen marks, it likely won’t take care of dark stains.
Dark ink or food stains may be impossible to remove from your book without damaging the pages. , If any pages show signs of insects, brush off the insect or egg debris, place the book in a fully sealed plastic freezer bag, and then put it in the freezer for 24 hours to kill any remaining infestation.
Thaw the book slowly by first putting it in the refrigerator for 8 hours. , Book cleaner putties have the consistency of Play-Doh and can be purchased in small tubs.
Take a small amount and roll the putty in your hands to warm it up, then gently rub the warmed ball over either the pages of your book or a cloth cover.
Move in one direction only. , Oil and grease stains may be difficult to completely erase, especially if they’ve had time to fully set in.
Try pressing paper towels in between the pages of the book, close the book, and weigh it down with a book weight.
Allow the towel to absorb the stain for 2-3 days, then check on its progress.
Keep repeating as necessary.
If your stain is from food, remove this first.
Freeze the book for 24 hours and then gently scrape off the food with a plastic knife.To make a homemade book weight, fill a cloth bag with dry beans or rice.
Ensure the bag is sealed before use. , Depending on the material of your dust jacket, you’ll need to use a different material for cleaning.
These materials will clean your jacket without damaging it.
For a matte dust jacket, which will not be shiny in appearance, gently address smudges by shaking your document cleaning pad to release the eraser dust.
Then rub the dust onto the dust jacket, and gently brush it off when finished.For a glossy dust jacket, rub a bit of petroleum jelly onto any smudges with a soft cloth.
Use a different cloth to wipe off the jelly and fully remove the smudge. -
Step 3: Choose an appropriate spot for cleaning.
-
Step 4: Place the book in a padded wedge.
-
Step 5: Record what needs to be cleaned.
-
Step 6: Wash your hands.
-
Step 7: Start with the outside edges of the book.
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Step 8: Brush the spine and outer boards of the book.
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Step 9: Use your vacuum for heavy dust or mold on the outside of the book.
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Step 10: Clean the dust jacket.
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Step 11: Clean the pages.
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Step 12: Address mustiness.
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Step 13: Use your artgum eraser to remove smudges and small marks from the pages.
-
Step 14: Address insect infestations by freezing the book.
-
Step 15: Employ a book cleaner putty for stubborn smudges.
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Step 16: Remove oil stains with absorbent paper towels.
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Step 17: Clean smudges off your dust jacket.
Detailed Guide
Different parts of the book will require their own cleaning methods.
You’ll want multiple tools on hand to address any potential problems your book may have.An artgum eraser is the perfect object for removing small pencil marks, smudges, and medium-sized blemishes on the pages.
A soft cloth such as cut-up white t-shirt works well for gently cleaning surface dirt.
You can also try an electrostatic cloth for an option that both lifts and holds dirt.
You’ll need a small, soft brush, such as a toothbrush, to clean bindings and page edges.
If your book is extremely dirty or dusty, you might need to vacuum the surface.
You’ll need a vacuum with a low-suction setting and a soft-brush attachment.A document cleaning pad, which is a sieved cloth filled with eraser dust, will help remove a layering of dust from the pages, as well as smudges from matte dust jackets.
You’ll need a few different supplies to deal with your book’s various components and unique trouble spots.
Be sure to have access to petroleum jelly, a book cleaner putty, absorbent paper towels, and baking soda., Once you’ve collected all your supplies, set them up in a well-lit, comfortable work area.
You’ll want plenty of space to spread out in an area you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. , Your book will need to be supported as you clean it.
Use pads that keep the book partially but not completely open as you turn the pages.
This will prevent the binding from breaking.
You can use clean, rolled-up towels to create a homemade wedge for the book, or you can purchase a set of foam wedges. , Check the book over and make a list of all the areas that need to be cleaned.
Place small pieces of paper in between the pages that you’ll need to clean in order to bookmark them. , You don’t want to add to the grime or oils that may be plaguing your book by touching it with dirty hands.
Even if you think your hands are clean, you have natural oils on your skin that it’s crucial to remove before starting the cleaning process. , Keep the book firmly closed and use your soft cloth or toothbrush to gently brush the edges of the pages.
Start at the top, or head, and wipe away from the spine.
Continue with the fore-edge, or the edge opposite the spine, and the tail, or bottom of the book.
Use extreme caution with any tears or damaged edges.
Use the soft brush to very gently address these spots. , Wipe the spine with your cloth or brush, moving in one direction only.
In order to protect the boards, mentally divide the front and back cover into halves and wipe from that center rather than from one end to the other.
If the spine has raised horizontal bands, wipe across rather than up and over the bumps.
Be careful of any damaged edges, leather corners, or decoration.
Avoid snagging the brush or cloth on these elements. , Ensure that your attachment is an extremely soft brush, and place your vacuum on the lowest possible setting.
Gently and carefully vacuum up the dirt, moving in only one direction.
Start with the head, move to the fore-edge, then the tail, and finally finish with the spine and outer boards.
For damaged books, place some cheesecloth or a nylon stocking over the end of the vacuum.
Vacuum up the dirt on the medium setting without touching the book by hovering just above the surface of the book. , Many books now come with dust jackets.
These paper coverings are generally glossy or matte in finish.
While they’re attractive, they often get dusty and may also tear.
Use your soft cloth to gently brush any dust or dirt off the jacket. , Set the book in your wedges, carefully open the book, and turn the pages.
Use your soft cloth or toothbrush to wipe the page from the center of book outwards, removing dust as you go. , If your book has a musty smell that you can’t isolate to individual pages, place the book in a plastic, resealable bag with a sprinkling of baking soda or unscented cat litter.
Leave it in the bag for a minimum of 12 hours and up to two weeks. , Always erase in one direction only.
Use your soft cloth to brush away eraser crumbs when finished.
While the eraser should remove most pencil and some pen marks, it likely won’t take care of dark stains.
Dark ink or food stains may be impossible to remove from your book without damaging the pages. , If any pages show signs of insects, brush off the insect or egg debris, place the book in a fully sealed plastic freezer bag, and then put it in the freezer for 24 hours to kill any remaining infestation.
Thaw the book slowly by first putting it in the refrigerator for 8 hours. , Book cleaner putties have the consistency of Play-Doh and can be purchased in small tubs.
Take a small amount and roll the putty in your hands to warm it up, then gently rub the warmed ball over either the pages of your book or a cloth cover.
Move in one direction only. , Oil and grease stains may be difficult to completely erase, especially if they’ve had time to fully set in.
Try pressing paper towels in between the pages of the book, close the book, and weigh it down with a book weight.
Allow the towel to absorb the stain for 2-3 days, then check on its progress.
Keep repeating as necessary.
If your stain is from food, remove this first.
Freeze the book for 24 hours and then gently scrape off the food with a plastic knife.To make a homemade book weight, fill a cloth bag with dry beans or rice.
Ensure the bag is sealed before use. , Depending on the material of your dust jacket, you’ll need to use a different material for cleaning.
These materials will clean your jacket without damaging it.
For a matte dust jacket, which will not be shiny in appearance, gently address smudges by shaking your document cleaning pad to release the eraser dust.
Then rub the dust onto the dust jacket, and gently brush it off when finished.For a glossy dust jacket, rub a bit of petroleum jelly onto any smudges with a soft cloth.
Use a different cloth to wipe off the jelly and fully remove the smudge.
About the Author
Diane Ford
Experienced content creator specializing in pet care guides and tutorials.
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