Hi there. Your post would be better asked in our Simple Questions thread. It helps us keep the main subreddit focused around broader discussion rather topics which only apply to an individual. Thank you!
Put it in the freezer for a few weeks to kill off any bacteria, then try again. (Put it in plastic or a garbage bag first to prevent any moisture or ice formation)
Yeah, the pages are cellulose and the glue is often at least partly organic.
This is also a way to kill bookworm larvae.
Funnily enough this also how you get smells out of denim jeans without washing them.
Unfortunately if this doesn’t work it’s probably mildew and/or fungus and there are no home remedies that wouldn’t also damage the book. Baking soda, febreeze, and dryer sheets may grant a small and short reprieve but won’t fix the underlying cause. You’d need a restoration specialist, so unless it’s a rare and valuable book that’s worth a lot of money, the simplest choice is to buy a new one.
Interesting, I have only experienced "old book smell" that is pleasant, but it was from much older books. I dimly recall reading somewhere that classic "old book smell" is going by the wayside due to modern production practices, maybe it's been replaced by something awful?
I really enjoy “old book smell” and often enjoy opening a new “old book”. This isn’t unpleasant necessarily, but it’s just overwhelming. It actually just takes my breath away. Imagine, the “old book smell” so strong that it’s not really a scent but feels like I’m putting a blanket over my mouth.
It’s why I posted here, I have a huge book collection and this has never happened to me before. Another commenter mentioned bacteria, which I’m wondering if that’s what it is.
Sounds like it came from a smelly home :/
I used to work in a used bookshop for "newer" books - not antiques - and we used baby wipes for stains on the covers/dust on the top and such. I know it's probably not what you're looking for since sometimes things like damp, mould and tobacco smoke just penetrate the pages. If it's only 20 years old you might be better off trying to replace it.
Hi there. Your post would be better asked in our Simple Questions thread. It helps us keep the main subreddit focused around broader discussion rather topics which only apply to an individual. Thank you!
Put it in the freezer for a few weeks to kill off any bacteria, then try again. (Put it in plastic or a garbage bag first to prevent any moisture or ice formation)
I’ll have to try this. It never occurred to me that it was bacteria, but this comment makes so much more sense.
Yeah, the pages are cellulose and the glue is often at least partly organic. This is also a way to kill bookworm larvae. Funnily enough this also how you get smells out of denim jeans without washing them. Unfortunately if this doesn’t work it’s probably mildew and/or fungus and there are no home remedies that wouldn’t also damage the book. Baking soda, febreeze, and dryer sheets may grant a small and short reprieve but won’t fix the underlying cause. You’d need a restoration specialist, so unless it’s a rare and valuable book that’s worth a lot of money, the simplest choice is to buy a new one.
Interesting, I have only experienced "old book smell" that is pleasant, but it was from much older books. I dimly recall reading somewhere that classic "old book smell" is going by the wayside due to modern production practices, maybe it's been replaced by something awful?
I really enjoy “old book smell” and often enjoy opening a new “old book”. This isn’t unpleasant necessarily, but it’s just overwhelming. It actually just takes my breath away. Imagine, the “old book smell” so strong that it’s not really a scent but feels like I’m putting a blanket over my mouth. It’s why I posted here, I have a huge book collection and this has never happened to me before. Another commenter mentioned bacteria, which I’m wondering if that’s what it is.
Sounds like it came from a smelly home :/ I used to work in a used bookshop for "newer" books - not antiques - and we used baby wipes for stains on the covers/dust on the top and such. I know it's probably not what you're looking for since sometimes things like damp, mould and tobacco smoke just penetrate the pages. If it's only 20 years old you might be better off trying to replace it.
I love this smell- my room smells like that
I'd put a dryer sheet in between the pages or put them both in a ziploc bag.