[MR] Possibly OT Q: How to save books from mold/mildew

[Jehan LUtile]

My dad's cousin, a missionary to Cote d'Ivoire for over 20 years, has protected all his books during monsoon season using a row of charcoal briquettes behind the books.  He's never had one single book destroyed in all these years.  The briquettes absorb all moisture in a given area.  You could possibly use this ability to safely quick-dry your books without the normal "stuck page syndrome" caused by rapid heat drying.  Possibly arranging the books and charcoal in a large cardboard box.  Just a thought...
 
YIS,
 
Jehan,
Seneschal, Shire of Drachentor,

Janie <janielee at cox.net> wrote:
Kind Gentles of the Tavern, 

I have a question: How can I save some books from further mold and mildew
damage? Or is this a lost cause? On my journey home today, I passed a pile
of books on the side of the road. I picked them up out of the rain and
brought them home. (Sorry, I must go a little out of period to continue
this...)

These were mostly college textbooks. The top one in the pile I recognized
from my class about a dozen years ago. It would be nice to save these, but
I am more concerned about the Webster's dictionary (one of the REALLY fat
ones) and a "Basic Knowledge" (hadn't seen this before, but looks like
bare-bones information about tons of subjects).

I know to set the books in different positions to ge them to fully dry from
their morning in the rain. Is there anything I can wipe on the books to
reduce mold growth? Can you suggest any product to reduce the appearance of
the mildew on the page edges? The books were probably put out to the side
of the road (tomorrow is our garbage day) because they at some point got wet
and mildewed.

The only things I could think of will probably ruin the covers or the pages:
bleach solution, Lysol spray, other household cleaners.

I know Atlantia is home to MANY good gentles that love and care for their
books. Some may even be that strange, rare breed called "Librarians" (meant
with all love).

Help?

Lady Gwendolyn Fitch
(Janie, who would like to decorate in "Modern Bookcase")
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