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How to Clean Mold From Antique Books

Restorative experts or art conservators often work with restoring ancient books in libraries or museums. Ancient books often have mold in them from exposure to damp, warm environments and improper storage. These stains are known as foxing stains. If you own ancient books that need restoration and have foxing stains to remove, you can do so yourself using supplies from home. Once you're done, your ancient books will have an improved condition and will be mold free.

Things You'll Need

  • Large bowls
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Water
  • Calcium hydroxide
  • Distilled water
  • Clean towels
  • White paper towels
  • Wax paper
  • Clothing iron
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water in a bowl big enough to accommodate the book from which you will be removing the mold stains.

    • 2

      Immerse the stained pages, a few at a time, into the hydrogen peroxide solution. Soak them until the solution wicks into the page as far as the mold stains.

    • 3

      Lift the book out of the hydrogen peroxide solution and lay on a clean towel.

    • 4

      Combine one part calcium hydroxide with one part distilled water.

    • 5

      Rinse the pages of the ancient book in the hydroxide solution after washing them in the peroxide and water.

    • 6
      Use paper towels to help remove moisture.

      Wick moisture out of the papers by laying a paper towel on top of and below each page. Press together with your hands so the moisture transfers from the book's pages to the paper towels. Replace the paper towels with dry ones until you've wicked out as much moisture as possible.

    • 7
      An iron helps to smooth and dry your book's pages.

      Lay a piece of wax paper between each of the book's pages. Smooth the pages by ironing them on a low setting.

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