How to Get Rid of a Musty Smell in Books

They Can Be Salvaged!

Books that have been in storage sometimes take on a musty smell, especially if they have been stored in a damp or humid location such as a basement. You don't have to get rid of books that smell musty. It is possible to get rid of a musty smell without getting rid of the books. If you have musty smelling books that you want to salvage, give the following ideas a try. After absorbing moisture that causes mold and mildew, any of the following methods work well to get rid of a musty smell in all types of books.

Dampness

Papers that are damp are a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and as a result, they end up smelling musty. If musty smelling books are damp, allow them to dry in the sun if possible, and follow up by sprinkling cornstarch between the pages. Once the pages are completely dry, brush away the cornstarch with a soft brush. A makeup applicator brush with long soft natural bristles works very well. Once the cornstarch is brushed away, use one of the following ways to get rid of the smell for good.

Suggested Containers

Before treating musty books, have two containers on hand, a smaller box to hold the books, and a larger plastic box to hold the material that will absorb the odor. This way they never come in direct contact with anything that will make them dirty or dusty. In addition, the largest container must have a tight-fitting lid to work effectively. A cardboard box is ideal for the smaller container.

Charcoal

Pages that smell musty can be remedied with charcoal briquettes. Partially fill a base container with unused charcoal, and place an open box of books on top of the charcoal. Close the lid of the base container, and allow the charcoal to absorb the odor for a few days or longer, depending on how musty they smell.

Cat Litter

Cat litter is also a fantastic odor absorber. Partially fill a larger plastic box with cat litter, and place the musty smelling materials in another box on top of the cat litter. Close the larger container with a tight-fitting lid, and allow the books to remain in the container for at least a few days. This should get rid of the smell and absorb any remaining moisture.

Coffee