Whether you pick up a vintage copy from a second-hand store or order a fresh read from Amazon, your books need care to stay their best.
Since books are made up of organic materials, they’re often a tasty treat for fungal growths like mould and mildew.
Store books in an environment free of humidity. If your book smells ‘old’ or musty, it’s most likely a sign that mould or mildew has spawned and a very humid environment is the culprit. So it’s best to store your favourite titles in an area with decent airflow in open shelving rather than in closed bins or closets. If you have no choice but to keep books in a stuffy room, run a fan to keep the air moving.
Dust the tops of your books every now and then since mildew spores like to cling to dirt and grow. If you see mould or mildew growth that is dry and powdery, the fungi is dormant. Wear a dust mask and disposable gloves and use a soft dry rag or sponge to wipe it away, and then let the book sit in direct sunlight for a few hours to zap away the spores.
If the mould and mildew growth is fuzzy and soft, you have actively growing fungi. Isolate the book from your collection immediately and wrap it in clean and dry plastic, then place in your freezer for a day or two to kill the fungi. When you remove it from the freezer, use a handheld vacuum nozzle to suck up the frozen fungi or brush it away gently with a soft brush.
If your books are free of mould and mildew but still have a smell, try this trick. Get a sealable plastic bag large enough to contain the book, sprinkle baking soda inside and add the book. Leave it for a few hours, and then dust off. Smell be gone!