Humidity Stink in Books...

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Humidity Stink in Books...

Posted: 1/1/2006 12:08:22 PM EDT

I have a good number of books that were foolishly stored in a shed in South Florida for many years. It took it's toll.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of them survived mostly unscathed, and the months that they have since been stored properly in my apartment has gotten them dried out. However, many of them (including my favorite, a hardcover copy of "Shogun") still have that nasty, musty, humidity smell.

Any way to get rid of that?

Thanks.

Posted: 1/1/2006 2:08:37 PM EDT

[#1]

Nope. Once a smell perments the paper, no cheap way of getting it out. You're better off buying replacements, IMO.

My .o2

Posted: 1/1/2006 2:18:00 PM EDT

[#2]

Yikes. I was afraid you'd say that.

Sigh....

Posted: 1/1/2006 2:23:15 PM EDT

[#3]

I had a wet basement problem which got to some valuable paper magazines I had. Patted dry and then came the SMELL. I put them in a large wooded draw, separated and some boxes of Baking soda. These Baking soda boxes open on the side and keep the powder from falling out. I noticed after a number of months the smell was gone, but the water damage remained. Oh well.

Posted: 1/1/2006 4:41:56 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I have a good number of books that were foolishly stored in a shed in South Florida for many years. It took it's toll.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of them survived mostly unscathed, and the months that they have since been stored properly in my apartment has gotten them dried out. However, many of them (including my favorite, a hardcover copy of "Shogun") still have that nasty, musty, humidity smell.

Any way to get rid of that?

Thanks.

Translation from internetspeak to real life:

The humidity in my bathroom has ruined my porn stash, what can I do?

Posted: 1/1/2006 4:48:01 PM EDT

[#5]

Smell is nothing compared to mold. If it's moldy, about the only thing you can do is to isolate the affected areas by hitting it with a Q-tip with bleach. If it can't be removed, dump the book (especially if it's a replaceable one).

Posted: 1/1/2006 4:52:16 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a good number of books that were foolishly stored in a shed in South Florida for many years. It took it's toll.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of them survived mostly unscathed, and the months that they have since been stored properly in my apartment has gotten them dried out. However, many of them (including my favorite, a hardcover copy of "Shogun") still have that nasty, musty, humidity smell.

Any way to get rid of that?

Thanks.
Translation from internetspeak to real life:

The humidity in my bathroom has ruined my porn stash, what can I do?

Now, now... I've met Zaphod, and he is no where near THAT irresponsible!

Posted: 1/1/2006 4:57:21 PM EDT

[#7]

Call the local library (larger college library if possible) and ask for tips from their rare book conservator. There are methods for recovering water damaged books, but effectiveness is proportional to cost. If you are in a dry environment, airing them out (pages fanned) should extract some of the moisture out (which the bacteria/algae/fungus whatever needs to subsist) at least slowing down the process. You could also try (after drying the books) sealing them in a bag with baking soda to absorb odors. Unless they are pricey or sentimental books, easier to replace, donate the old ones...

ETA: Search here for replacements for out of print titles

Posted: 1/1/2006 5:04:27 PM EDT

[#8]

Put the book in the oven at lowest heat for six or eight hours repeat as necessary to dry it out, that will get out a lot of the smell and get rid of the moisture that cause the growth causing the smell. Then put the book in a big zip lock bag with a open box of baking soda for a while.

Posted: 1/1/2006 5:06:54 PM EDT

[#9]

put them in a burning house. The smoke smell will overwhelm the musty smell

Posted: 1/1/2006 6:45:41 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a good number of books that were foolishly stored in a shed in South Florida for many years. It took it's toll.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of them survived mostly unscathed, and the months that they have since been stored properly in my apartment has gotten them dried out. However, many of them (including my favorite, a hardcover copy of "Shogun") still have that nasty, musty, humidity smell.

Any way to get rid of that?

Thanks.
Translation from internetspeak to real life:

The humidity in my bathroom has ruined my porn stash, what can I do?

Now, now... I've met Zaphod, and he is no where near THAT irresponsible!

And believe you me, I just learned a painful lesson that reinforced the adage that porn is cheaper and safer than women!

Posted: 1/1/2006 6:47:06 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Put the book in the oven at lowest heat for six or eight hours repeat as necessary to dry it out, that will get out a lot of the smell and get rid of the moisture that cause the growth causing the smell. Then put the book in a big zip lock bag with a open box of baking soda for a while.

Pretty radical. May have to give it a shot.

I was thinking of some kind of baking soda treatment or sandwiching dryer sheets between the pages.

Then I'd have musty-spring-fresh-smelling books.

Posted: 1/1/2006 6:57:40 PM EDT

[#12]

Think about putting the books in a confined space with an ozonater/ionizer for a day or so. These are the type machines that they use to get the smoke smell out of homes.

Posted: 1/1/2006 6:59:28 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

And believe you me, I just learned a painful lesson that reinforced the adage that porn is cheaper and safer than women!

I dunno man...

paper cut... broken heart...

It's a bitch either way, methinks.

Probably depends on where a fella gets the paper cut!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Humidity Stink in Books...

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