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How to Remove the Smoke Smell From Books After a Fire

If your books survived a house fire, your initial relief might be slightly tempered by the smell of the books. Paper is absorbent and picks up odors quite easily. It is likely your books will retain a strong, smoky smell for a long time after the fire. Paper is also impossible to clean in the conventional manner. Take a sponge and a spray cleaner to your books, and you may damage them beyond repair. Airing your books by spreading the pages open will help eventually, but there are faster ways to remove the smell of smoke.

Things You'll Need

  • Paint brush
  • Baking soda, cat litter or charcoal
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic bag ties
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush away any soot or debris from the books with a paint brush.

    • 2

      Sprinkle baking soda generously between the pages of each book.

    • 3

      Add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda or activated charcoal to a plastic bag. A few handfuls of cat litter will work as well. Prepare one plastic bag for each book, and put the book inside. Be aware that charcoal may stain so do not use it for books whose covers you are concerned about.

    • 4

      Seal each bag tightly by tying a knot in the top or using a plastic bag tie.

    • 5

      Place the bags out of direct sunlight and leave for up to a week.

    • 6

      Remove the books, dispose of the baking soda and check if any odor remains. If so, add fresh baking soda to the bag and leave for another week.

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