As a book lover, you’ve likely faced the challenge of cleaning bookshelves and books when you find dust, bugs, or even mold on your cherished collection. This guide provides thorough steps to tackle these common issues, ensuring your books and shelves stay in pristine condition.

cleaning bookshelves and books

How To Clean Bookshelves

Equipment Needed:

  • Soft, lint-free cloths
  • Magic Eraser
  • Optional: Wood scratch repair kit
  • Vacuum cleaner with attachments

Materials Needed:

  • Warm water
  • Mild liquid soap

Instructions:

  1. Take everything off the shelves. You don’t need to sort anything yet; just empty the shelves completely.
  2. Clean the bookcase by pulling it away from the wall. First, use a dry cloth to dust it off. Then, use a damp cloth with some soap to remove any dirt or marks.
  3. Treat scratches on your bookshelves, which often occur with regular use. Start by wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth. For other scuffs or marks, use a Magic Eraser. To fix scratches on wood shelves, you can use a scratch repair product or even a crayon that matches the color of the wood.
  4. Check the bottom of your bookshelves. If you have hard floors, ensure there are felt pads on the bottom of your furniture to make it easier to move without scratching the floor. These pads can accumulate a lot of dust and pet hair over time. While the shelf is empty, tip it over and clean off any debris, including spiderwebs.
  5. Vacuum the floor area where your bookshelf normally sits before you move it back into place. It’s also a good idea to dust the wall and baseboard behind it. If you notice any stains or mildew on the baseboards, here are additional tips on how to clean them effectively.
  6. Put your books back on the shelves. If you’ve recently cleaned your books, you can go ahead and arrange them in your preferred order. If your books still need cleaning, continue reading for effective methods to clean books, including how to remove mold, mildew, and greasy stains.

How to Clean Books

Between the pages of a book is an appealing spot—not just for readers but for insects, mildew spores, and dust as well. Any serious book collector has likely encountered one or more of these nuisances, along with greasy fingerprints and various other stains.

Equipment Needed:

  • Lint-free white cloths
  • A nylon sock or large piece of cheesecloth
  • A sturdy rubber band
  • Vacuum with attachments
  • Soft-bristled paint brush
  • Sheet or old towel

Materials Needed:

  • Warm water

Instructions

NOTE: If the books are valuable or very old, take them to a professional book restorer.

  1. Lay a sheet or old towel on the floor where you plan to work. This will help catch any dust, dead insects, or other debris that might fall out of your books as you clean them.
  2. Take off the dust jacket from the book, if there is one, and set it aside carefully.
  3. Place the nylon sock or a double layer of cheesecloth over the vacuum cleaner’s hose. Then, use a rubber band to securely fasten it in place. This will help prevent any damage to your books while you vacuum them.
  4. With the book closed, use the vacuum to clean the cover and the edges of the pages. This helps remove any dust accumulated there. Make sure to vacuum gently to avoid damaging the book.
  5. Hold the book with one hand, keeping the spine facing upwards. Slowly fan the pages with your other hand to shake loose any dust and insects trapped between them. Repeat this fanning action a few times to ensure you dislodge as much debris as possible.
  6. Turn the book upright and use your thumb to fan through the pages again. As you do this, closely inspect the pages for any stains or signs of mildew. If you find any, refer to the specific instructions below on how to handle these issues. If the pages are clean, this fanning not only helps you check their condition but also allows the pages to “breathe,” which helps prevent mildew and discourages bugs from settling in.
  7. Now, take a very lightly dampened, lint-free white cloth and gently wipe the outside of the book cover. After wiping, check the cloth for dirt. If it’s dirty, rinse the cloth, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe the cover again. Repeat this process until the cloth comes away clean, making sure not to saturate the book cover with water. Once the cover is clean, use a fresh dry cloth to buff the cover until it is completely dry.
  8. Repeat the cleaning process with the book’s dust jacket. Wipe it gently with a very lightly damp, lint-free white cloth, checking and rinsing the cloth as needed until it comes away clean. Be sure not to saturate the dust jacket. After cleaning, use a fresh dry cloth to thoroughly dry the dust jacket. Once it’s completely dry, slip the dust jacket back onto the book. Your book is now ready to be reshelved.

Cleaning Mold or Mildew in Books

If you find mold or mildew in your books, it’s important to wear a dust mask for protection, as both can cause respiratory problems, even in people without allergies or asthma. This precaution helps prevent you from inhaling any spores while you clean.

Equipment You Need:

  • Wax paper
  • Paper towels
  • An airtight container large enough to hold the book

Materials You Need:

  • 3% hydrogen peroxide
  • Baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Place a sheet of wax paper behind the damaged page to protect the other pages of the book. This will prevent any cleaning agents or moisture from transferring to the undamaged pages as you work on the affected area.
  2. Lightly dampen a paper towel with 3% hydrogen peroxide and gently wipe the affected page to kill the mold or mildew spores. Be careful to use just enough hydrogen peroxide to moisten the towel without soaking it, as excessive moisture can further damage the paper.
  3. Leave the book open to the treated page and allow it to air dry completely. Ensure it’s in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, which can help speed up the drying process without causing additional damage to the paper.
  4. Repeat the process for each affected page: Place a sheet of wax paper behind the page, lightly dampen a paper towel with hydrogen peroxide, and gently wipe the page. After treating each page, leave the book open to the treated page to dry completely before moving on to the next one. Ensure all pages are fully dry before closing the book to prevent any sticking or further mold growth.
  5. To get rid of mold or mildew smells from your book, put a cup of baking soda in the bottom of a big container. Cover the baking soda with a paper towel, then place the book on top. Seal the container tightly and leave it for a week so the baking soda can absorb the smell. Clean off any baking soda from the book before you put it back on the shelf.

Cleaning Greasy Stains on Books

Here’s what you need to clean different types of book covers and remove stains from pages:

Equipment You Need:

  • Dry-cleaning sponge (for paper or cloth book covers)
  • Saddle soap (for leather covers)
  • Lint-free white cleaning cloths

Materials You Need:

  • Warm water
  • Wax paper
  • Baking soda (for treating greasy pages)

Directions:

  1. To remove greasy stains from paper or cloth book covers, use a dry cleaning sponge. This type of sponge is different from a Magic Eraser or melamine sponge; it’s specifically designed for cleaning stains from porous surfaces like paper. Make sure to keep the sponge dry. Use light, overlapping strokes and work from the top of the cover down to the bottom. After use, follow the instructions on the sponge’s label for cleaning it.
  2. To clean greasy stains from leather book covers, first lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with warm water mixed with a small amount of saddle soap. Before cleaning the entire cover, do a spot test on a less visible area inside the cover to ensure the leather doesn’t react negatively. If there’s no adverse change, gently wipe the leather cover with the soapy cloth to remove the grime. After cleaning, use a fresh, dry cloth to buff the cover dry.
  3. To remove greasy stains on book pages, place a piece of wax paper behind the affected page. Sprinkle enough baking soda (bicarbonate) to cover the greasy mark and then cover it with another sheet of wax paper. Close the book and put a weight on it (like another book), then wait overnight for the baking soda to absorb the grease. The next day, clean the book using a vacuum attachment and nylon sock as described above.

How to Keep Your Books Looking Good

  • Store Books Properly: Keep books in a dry place. Humidity can attract bugs and cause mildew, so avoid storing them in basements or attics. Remember, while the smell of old books can be nice, it might also be unhealthy.
  • Protect from Light: Keep books out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade book covers and damage leather bindings. Place your bookshelves away from windows or use sheer curtains to soften the sunlight.
  • Allow Room on Shelves: Don’t pack your books too tightly. This can bend their covers and damage their spines and pages. Make sure there’s enough room to slip a finger between each book.
  • Handle with Care: Avoid pulling books out by the top of the spine. Instead, gently push the books on either side and grab the book by the middle of the spine. This helps prevent damage, especially if there’s enough space between books.
  • Enjoy Your Books: Books are like portals to different worlds, offering adventures without leaving home. Make sure to read and cherish them—a book left unread feels lonely.