How do I get a mildew smell out of a book?

Question

I have a 50 year old yearbook that is in pretty good condition except for an awful mildew smell. Is there a way to get rid of the smell?

Answer 1

Old book dealers will tell yo to sprinkle baking soda between the pages of the book. I have an old life magazine and it had that musky smell. I sprinkled the baking soda lightly on each page, and put it away for several months. Later I pulled it out and sure enough, the odor was gone.

good luck

Answer 2

Put fabric softener sheets between the pages, then seal it in a plastic bag and let it sit for a few days. It will smell nice and fresh. Sticking an old book out in the sun will ruin the cover and make the pages warp if there is any dampness in it at all.

Answer 3

Usually putting things out in the sun helps get rid of that smell.

Answer 4

yeah, lay it out on a table in the sun on a very sunny day. mildew and fungus grow in dark wet places. the sun light kills them, so it will get rid of the smell. i like the febreeze idea also.

Answer 5

Airing them out is the best way. If you have a protected porch (screened in would be ideal) you could stand them open on a table on a low-humidity day and let the fresh air do its work.

Answer 6

Place dryer sheets in different pages, and leave it in the sun. It should help... Make sure it does not get wet.

Answer 7

Put it in the freezer for a while, this worked for me, but if that doesn't work, call an second hand bookstore and they should be able to tell you.

Answer 8

hang book w/ binder up,so the pages won't stick,spray lightly w/frebreeze ,let it dry by its self

Answer 9

Sunlight & oxygen.