Musty Book

Rabbit

I've just bought a book for a christmas present and it smells musty. The book is 20 years old so not a surprise really.

Does anyone know how I can get rid of the smell?

I thought about putting it in the airing cupboard but not sure if that would make it worse.

Hope you can help

Thanks

apprentice_tycoon

there are a few ideas here that I've copied from the 'selling your stuff on amazon thread' on the ebay board

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There are a number of ways to counteract the smell, most involve using a product to assist, fresh air alone doesn't seem to do the job.

Products that our Amazonians have mentioned are nappy sacks, tumble dryer sheets, neutralising cat litter, Neutradol, Oust, Shake and Vac in it's varieties. The methods used are either enclosing the book with the product in a bag etc or with the sprays you flick the pages in the mist of the spray.

CFC

20 years old is not old for a book. I have lots of books that age. The key is if they've been kept in damp and/or dirty conditions they will start to smell, and a musty smell is mould, of a kind. Neither an airing cupboard nor fresh air will get rid of it.Cat litter may well absorb the smell or diminish it. (whether it will return or not after a while is anyone's guess.)

But please remember that mould can be dangerous so even if you have removed the smell, perhaps be wary about who the present is for? Mouldy items can set off allergies and are indicated in a number of other conditions.

C1aire

The best thing for getting rid of the smell is to take it out of the environment that caused it. Anywhere that isn't cold and damp is ideal. Not sure I'd spray any of my books with anything - might stain the pages. Odour absorbing cat litter is an idea I suppose, but I would just leave it open in the airing cupboard for a bit personally.

You might be able to diminish the smell, but it will always be there - that's part of the deal with an old book, even if 20yrs isn't that old.

Personally I like the smell of old books, but then I'm a librarian who is happy in her work!

HappyMedium_2

I got some books of Ebay which smelt of fags so I put a sheet of tumble dryer conditioner in them and they smell wonderful now.

Rabbit

It doesn't have any evidence of mould, maybe it's just an old dusty smell. It seems better now I've had it out of the envelope and when I cleaned the front cover it was dirty - like it had been stored somewhere - maybe the loft or something.

I will give your suggestions a go.

Thanks for all your help.

Lorian

I've bought quite a few old books. Like others have said, make sure it's well dry, and cat littler etc can help, but you might find just leaving the pages fanned open so (warm) air can get to them for 48 hours will do the trick.

Agutka

I should've read this before I wrapped it, but I bought a 2007 diary that is covered in linen for a present and definitely smells of...vomit :eek: . I just sprayed it with my strongest perfume (didn't help) and wrapped it anyway. It has a whole year to get better...