How to Clean Books

photo by Monica Buck for Real Simple
Monkish ways....that's the term my daughters and I sometimes use with eachother when one of us displays their uniqueness in handling an everyday task. Sometimes a special way of cleaning is the trigger. We laugh and joke and can value eachother's distinct personalities. That being said, today I want to share a myriad of ways in how we can keep those treasured books so fresh and so clean. Let's start with dust, the most obvious offender.

Using a duster, hold your volume firmly shut and dust. A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment is another preferred method.

For glossy jackets, use a glass cleaner and wipe carefully with a soft cloth.

For cloth jackets, use Absorene, a putty-like cleaner that absorbs everything from dirt to smoke.

For matte jackets, you can use eraser dust from a dry cleaning pad (found at art supply stores). Sometimes a vinyl eraser works well.

Goo Gone is often used to remove unwanted labels on picture frames in my home, and can also be used to remove labels from books as needed.

Placing a book in a closed container with vinegar, kitty litter, baking soda, or charcoal can often help in removing unwanted odors.

Oily stains can be reduced with the use of paper towels placed between the pages of a closed book for several days. Using some weight on top may assist in the reduction as well.

If you're uncertain about handling a rare volume, it's best to find a pro. In the end, keeping your books clean can dramatically increase their lifespan, so it's recommended that this take place at least once a year.

Happy Monday to you (and happy cleaning, too).

-Jessica