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How to Clean Mold From a Book Restoration

When restoring antique or rare books, you might encounter mold growth. Mold can be common in damp or dark spaces, in conditions similar to where books are stored. Research the effects of mold treatment, so that you don't cause long-term damage. The effects will depend on the specific chemical composition of the pages, which varies.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush or cloth
  • Soapy water
  • Bleach
  • Copper napthenate/chlorinated phenols
  • Fungicidal spray
  • Plastic bag
  • Talcum-powder cornstarch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wipe away the clumps of mold with a fine brush or a piece of cloth. Add soapy water to the cloth to boost its effectiveness. Usually, these clumps can be brushed off without much difficulty.

    • 2

      Dilute bleach water in a small dish, with three parts water and one part bleach. Apply the mixture with a piece of cloth if the mold does not brush off easily.

    • 3

      Apply talcum-powder cornstarch or fungicidal spray to the pages. Make sure that the chemicals will not damage the pages of the rare book.

    • 4

      Place the book in direct sunlight. The sunlight kills the mold, and brushing it off should be simpler. You can also place the book within a plastic bag and into your freezer. The extreme cold temperature should also kill the mold.

    • 5

      Place particles of chlorinated phenols or copper napthenate in the book to prevent further mold growth in the book. These particles effectively eliminate mold growth on the pages.

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