How do you get a mildew smell out of books that have been in a closed damp office a long time?

Answer 1

unless you take the book to a restorer, most likely never because the mold/mildew makes its way into the paper

Answer 2

The methods used would vary by the value and type of paper and binding of the book.

If the books are valuable or irreplaceable the only real option is a professional book restorer.

For a relatively inexpensive mass market book, whether hard or soft bound, I might try the baking soda, and lying them open in a protected area during sunny dry days. Killing the mildew is the key.

I avoid febreeze because I would be leery of the chemicals damaging the paper. It also makes my mucous membranes bleed, so it is not on my list of favorites anyway.

Removing mildew and mildew/mold from any organic, fragile substance is difficult as you already know. Washing with strong bleach solution and drying in the bright sunlight is the primary remedy for mold, and as good as it is, it does not always work, and is certainly not advisable for every surface.

Good Luck on saving the books!

Answer 3

Put it upright and open, in a sealed bag with a Bounce sheet (fragrant kind), and don't allow the sheet to touch the book. Or use the bag method only substitute with a bowl of baking soda. Don't leave the soda in the box; you're wasting the whole box, when a little will do, and spreading it in a bowl increases its surface area to absorb more odour. If the book actually has mildew on it, you're SOL, and should pitch the thing before it spreads spores into your breathing air; if the book is valuable, take to an antique restorer.

Answer 4

Sprinkle with baking soda between pages. Let sit several days. Brush or vacuum it out

Answer 5

Two ideas:

Sprinkle with baking soda.

Spray lightly with fabreeze.

Sit outside on REALLY cold dry days, to kill mold.

That's three ideas, isn't it? It is HARD. I have done the same thing with mixed results. :) Good luck.!!