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

[Jane Massey]

Lady Gwendolyn,

I spent many years as a book doctor and many times the book lots that came into your store would be moldy. More times than not, they cannot be saved but there are a few things you can try. One thing that we did use to spray our books down with, was lysol spray. Yes, it seems like it might ruin the books, but if spray from a 1 foot distance the mist doesn't do damage. It also prevents any mold from spreading to your "good" books. You should do this on a weekly or twice weekly basis. 

Another thing that you can do to is freeze the books in a deep freezer. Sounds silly but it works to prevent the mildew from getting worse and stopping the growth of bacteria. Let the books sit in the deep freezer overnight, no more than 24 hours though. It the morning take out the books, brush off any ice and let them dry out if they are damp. If you store your books in a dry environment after freezing that should protect them from getting worse. Between the deep freeze and the lysol, you should be able to save and prevent any more mildew growth.


Cheers,
Lady Ljufvina
Barony of Tir-y-Don 






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")