Just bought used books - worried about where they've been - any tips or ideas? Thanks
2006-08-23 12:33:51 · 10 answers · asked by Alicia 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Would putting them in the Arizona heat all day in a box hurt them - would it kill the germs? even a box wrapped in a black plastic bag to heat it up more? Thanks
2006-08-23 12:43:44 · update #1
I'd ask a librarian in the children's section.
2006-08-23 12:39:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a school librarian and we use baby wipes when we get books donated, or really nasty from little kids fingers. If you put the books in plastic bags and then in the sun, you are asking for mold. On plastic dustcovers you can also use a bit of rubbing alcohol, or even hand sanitizer. If it is a paperback, baby wipes are your best bet.
2006-08-23 17:00:52 · answer #2 · answered by littlegreenmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out this site. I also remember hearing that you can put books in the microwave to kill molds, but I don't remember any of the particulars. I'd worry about the glue in the binding drying out. If you have a good used book store nearby you might ask the people there as well as your local Librarian.
http://www.litterascripta.com/bibliomania/clean.shtml
Good luck!
2006-08-23 15:04:59 · answer #3 · answered by dddanse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best to ask a librarian. How about Lysol spray. or freeze for 24 hours. I think high desert heat would encourage bacteria growth.
2006-08-23 12:56:44 · answer #4 · answered by Papa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dry wash cloth, a spray bottle of pine sol water, spray the towel lightley swipe it across the books. Over and over until the cloth is damp then use a new one.
2006-08-25 17:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat is not the answer--it will only degrade the paper, glue, binding, and ink. My daughter worked at the public library cleaning books, and they used only window cleaner on the covers--paper is nearly impossible to clean.
2006-08-23 16:53:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can wipe the outside cover off by applying a little Listerine to a piece of cloth.-almost impossible to do individual pages.
2006-08-23 12:41:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air them out with a fan, or outside in the fresh air.
2006-08-23 12:39:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lysol spray for the cover...no idea for the pages though
2006-08-26 12:39:42 · answer #9 · answered by radiant_redhead6930 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PUT THEM IN THE MICRO WAVE OVEN, THATS HOW THE LIBRIARYS DO IT.
2006-08-23 16:44:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋