Despite the advent of technology, reading remains an activity dear to many French people, young and old, who like to learn and escape through this medium. The love of books and words therefore still remains very much alive contrary to what one might think, but whether or not they are placed on a pretty bookcase cleverly chosen to show them off, they can get dirty or cover with dust. Odors can also become embedded in the pages over time and use (and we are talking more here about the musty smell than the addictive smell of old books). To freshen up your beloved books without risking damaging them, here is an unstoppable technique shared by a librarian.
What you need:
- A paper bag that you can close
- Take the bicarbonate
- A soft brush
The steps:
1) Start by pouring a large tablespoon of baking soda into the paper bag.
2) Slide in the book you want to process and close it carefully. Note that this will also work with postcards or old newspapers for example.
3) Leave the book in the bag for about a week until the baking soda can neutralize dirt, moisture and odors.
4) After this time, you can collect the book and scrub it with a soft brush to complete the cleaning.
A few more maintenance tips:
- Dust your books regularly with a duster or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
- To whiten the pages on the edge, use an eraser. If that’s not enough, lightly wipe the pages with soft, fine-grit sandpaper with one hand, holding the pages tightly with the other to prevent them from creasing.
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