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Freezing won't kill them but heat will Praziquantel Send a noteboard - 16/10/2013 03:09:33 AM

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I have about three books that I really, truly like that smell sort of mildewy ("old book smell"). I have heard that freezing will destroy the smell but "not the spores". My library is very dry - humidity is probably around 25% - but I don't want spores all over it. I already have the spots for the books in places where they will have limited exposure to other books, but am I running a risk? Is there anything else I can do? I've read about this on the Internet but haven't gotten any definitive answers.

Look up the process of autoclaving (sterilizing lab materials). It's usually done with moist heat when possible (30 min @ 121 C), but if you can only use dry heat (assume you'd have to with books), go with 400 F for an hour in your oven. Actually, since they're old books you should probably go more gentle on the high temps... I'd do 350 F for 2 hours.

This message last edited by Praziquantel on 16/10/2013 at 03:16:14 AM
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Question on books with mildewy smell Tom - 14/10/2013 08:57:45 PM 1201 Views
Probably not the answer you're looking for. Palatine - 15/10/2013 01:37:19 PM 1218 Views
If a new copy were available I already would have bought it. *NM* Tom - 15/10/2013 02:44:18 PM 582 Views
Could you keep them in a cupboard? ßelals Girl - 15/10/2013 05:47:20 PM 1075 Views
I am freezing them, but they say that doesn't get rid of the spores. Tom - 15/10/2013 07:39:19 PM 827 Views
Freezing won't kill them but heat will Praziquantel - 16/10/2013 03:09:33 AM 1078 Views
Won't an hour in the oven ruin the book? I'm assuming massive browning of pages, etc... Tom - 16/10/2013 03:16:26 AM 876 Views
yep, sorry i just edited Praziquantel - 16/10/2013 03:17:10 AM 983 Views
also Praziquantel - 16/10/2013 03:31:35 AM 963 Views
Re: also Isaac - 16/10/2013 05:10:12 AM 989 Views
There's a few tricks Isaac - 16/10/2013 05:01:51 AM 1041 Views
I like the desiccant idea. Tom - 16/10/2013 05:20:25 AM 902 Views
Re: I like the desiccant idea. Isaac - 16/10/2013 05:56:46 AM 1148 Views
How about vacuum sealing the books, and putting them in a warm water bath for a few hours? jh - 16/10/2013 07:34:21 PM 903 Views
Kind of a weird idea ßelals Girl - 16/10/2013 11:34:42 PM 897 Views
It may work, but then spores are in your vacuum cleaner. Tom - 17/10/2013 03:34:03 AM 938 Views
Buy a cheap crappy vaccum cleaner from a thrift store? ßelals Girl - 17/10/2013 11:40:37 PM 1006 Views
Maybe it would be worth contacting a library? Stephen - 29/10/2013 04:09:31 PM 944 Views
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