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I have about three books that I really, truly like that smell sort of mildewy ("old book smell"). I have heard that freezing will destroy the smell but "not the spores". My library is very dry - humidity is probably around 25% - but I don't want spores all over it. I already have the spots for the books in places where they will have limited exposure to other books, but am I running a risk? Is there anything else I can do? I've read about this on the Internet but haven't gotten any definitive answers.
I have about three books that I really, truly like that smell sort of mildewy ("old book smell"). I have heard that freezing will destroy the smell but "not the spores". My library is very dry - humidity is probably around 25% - but I don't want spores all over it. I already have the spots for the books in places where they will have limited exposure to other books, but am I running a risk? Is there anything else I can do? I've read about this on the Internet but haven't gotten any definitive answers.
Look up the process of autoclaving (sterilizing lab materials). It's usually done with moist heat when possible (30 min @ 121 C), but if you can only use dry heat (assume you'd have to with books), go with 400 F for an hour in your oven. Actually, since they're old books you should probably go more gentle on the high temps... I'd do 350 F for 2 hours.
This message last edited by Praziquantel on 16/10/2013 at 03:16:14 AM
Question on books with mildewy smell
- 14/10/2013 08:57:45 PM
1188 Views
Probably not the answer you're looking for.
- 15/10/2013 01:37:19 PM
1205 Views
If a new copy were available I already would have bought it. *NM*
- 15/10/2013 02:44:18 PM
577 Views
Could you keep them in a cupboard?
- 15/10/2013 05:47:20 PM
1062 Views
I am freezing them, but they say that doesn't get rid of the spores.
- 15/10/2013 07:39:19 PM
816 Views
Freezing won't kill them but heat will
- 16/10/2013 03:09:33 AM
1068 Views
Won't an hour in the oven ruin the book? I'm assuming massive browning of pages, etc...
- 16/10/2013 03:16:26 AM
865 Views
There's a few tricks
- 16/10/2013 05:01:51 AM
1022 Views
How about vacuum sealing the books, and putting them in a warm water bath for a few hours?
- 16/10/2013 07:34:21 PM
885 Views
Kind of a weird idea
- 16/10/2013 11:34:42 PM
888 Views