Cleaning books & questions answered

Video about book care and repair and lots of things to do with books and my bookshop.
www.harrowdenbooks.com
Facebook: / harrowdenbooks

[@edition-deluxe]

WAIT A MINUTE... Folks do not ever use wood glue on a book. Wood glue dries ridged; PVA will allow bend, and is what is used for book repair. Never use wood glue on books. He most likely misspoke when he said wood; as what he is holding is PVA.

[@mr_maydo]

I see your point, but hasn't PVA been referred to as a wood glue and used by woodworkers?

[@nescafeshorts1900]

Thanks for keeping it simple.

[@alanbauch2815]

Thank you for your videos, just this morning I meticulously fitted cardboard spacers under some of my thicker and heavier beauties... I can see it will be a big help to them, you just can't beat physics...thank you sir for your time, from the scenic Oregon coast, Alan Bauch

[@robertwills3445]

Mike, thank you for answering our question about first edition Victorian novels. Your sand paper idea is inspired. During lockdown the books acquired in your shop have been a godsend to us. Thank you. More videos please. From Rob & Claire

[@thebookman4126]

Thanks for your comment Rob & Claire. Glad to hear about your books. More coming soon...

[@lozzieburger]

Thanks for this video! I sometimes use eucalyptus oil on a tissue to quickly and easily remove price stickers. Costs about $10 for a small bottle, but you only need a drop or two. It has a strong smell which does disappear, or you can wipe over again with another cloth.

[@ethanyoder9953]

Wonderful video. I appreciate the knowledge that you bring to the subject, as well as the warmth and wry sense of humor.

[@thebookman4126]

Wow, thank you! Glad you enjoyed. I'm so busy selling books at the moment I haven't time to make videos but It's good to know they are still entertaining people. cheers

[@raynettetingle4001]

Thank you!!!! Saving this for future reference.

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

I've been rubbing and scrubbing my vintage hardbacks for years with a dampened paper towel using virgin oilve oil, it removes dirt and grime without removing the dye. Not sure if I need the virgin kind, but that's what I initially started with, and like they say, if it's not broke, don't fix it. After first applying the olive oil the book has a shiny appearance but that quickly dissipates after a few hours returning the book to its original appearance, but clean.

[@thebookman4126]

Sounds like a good tip. No harm in trying if it's not a rare valuable book. Thanks for commenting.

[@sidneylanez9067]

Bravo! Thank you for sharing! That method is Also great for teeth whitening!

[@eliagron8750]

Thank you. Hope your shop is open to the public.

[@thebookman4126]

It is yes.

[@kurjan1]

I find using baby wipes the best method. They are soap and alcohol free, and evaporate really quickly leaving no residue or film. They also (so far) haven never taken any colour off.

[@RajYadav-ch2rm]

thank you so much sir , keep making more and more videos like this and book repairing and care .....can you make a video on how to repair hardcover spine ripped on top and bottom and bending corners ....😊😊

[@General_reader]

Wd40 works great for sticker residue! Only a few drops needed. (Laminated covers only!)

[@laurenabosamra1403]

Thank you so much! You really helped explain a lot of the book cleaning basics.

[@thebookman4126]

You are so welcome!

[@bookstoreadventureswiththe5439]

Thank you so much for these tips. Our used bookstore regularly gets donations of books that are coated in stickers, and I'm always looking for assistance in getting the residue off of those matte covers.

[@thebookman4126]

You are so welcome!

[@channelsixtysix066]

I have used anise oil to clean modern book cover finishes. It does help remove sticker residue and rips dirt off the covers, leaving them looking bright and clean.

[@thebookman4126]

That's a great idea! I think sticker residue an absolute curse.

[@channelsixtysix066]

@@thebookman4126 And you have to be careful. The stickers that seem to resist peeling off, or leave some of the paper behind, only coming off in little bits, have an adhesive that seems to be alcohol based. I've made it a pastime to find out the solvents needed to "melt" different adhesives. Alcohol is a risk on some of those glossy finishes. Sometimes a hair dryer softens the adhesive to allow peeling.

[@channelsixtysix066]

@@thebookman4126 Mike, just an update on cleaning with aniseed or anise oil. I had to clean a ratty old cover of a book I recently purchased from oversees to make it safe to handle. It did not have that glossy plastic coating on. It is just print on a light cardboard. Whilst the aniseed took the dirt off, IT ALSO TOOK THE PRINT OFF. I did suspect that would happen. So test first. Cheers.

[@RichardGoth]

I have been using 80% alcohol sanitiser wipes with some success to clean my book covers. The trick is to not soak the covers and to buff any residue straight away with paper towel. Sticker residue isc a curse. I have tried solvents before wit disastrous results. I did get a tip from an archival specialist to try heating with a hairdryer before prising off with a scalpel (he uses this method on sticky tape)

[@thebookman4126]

That's a great tip Richard. Again, the more expensive the book the more careful one has to be. Sticky labels should be banned on books! lol.

[@austinmay7125]

I’m sure a lot of book ppl just cringed when he said “throw it away”

[@davidcole5951]

Many thanks for your very informative videos with their tips and advice. I was interested what you said about loose bindings etc but I think that if I tried any glueing I would make a mess of what I think is a very nice and well used book. It is old but not valuable (in money terms) nor is it rare - but to replace it more or less like for like would cost about £60 - I paid £15 for my copy about 10 years ago - so I will, for the time being, carry on.

[@thebookman4126]

Couldn't agree more David. I think yours is a good example of when to leave alone. Many a book has been ruined by unwise actions. Thanks for your engagement. It's good to hear from viewers.

[@annbooth2923]

I have an unused Bible printed 1979. I do not know what type of cover whether leather or "whatever". The whole surface is tacky (sticky) and material sticks to it. How do I clean it? Thank you.

[@thebookman4126]

Does it look like leather? It may be leatherette though (you can tell by running finger nails down the spine, they should "catch" on leather but slide off on leatherette). If it is leatherette then it should be safe to rub with some household surface spray cleaner or white vinegar if you have any but always try on a small test area first.

[@jeromegilly]

Hello. Would you mind telling me how to clean the actual pages. I stored my books improperly and now there is green mold growing on the pages.. it’s a frightening sight.

[@thebookman4126]

Oh dear, that sounds more serious and I'm afraid it may not be a DIY job. If they are rare, expensive books then I can only recommend you contact a book restorer. To prevent further damage to a book in similar circumstances or if it got soaked, you can always put it in your freezer until such time as you can find a restorer to do the work. You could try to fan the pages out, put it in a warm (but not too warm), dry and well-ventilated place and let it "breathe". If the mould then becomes dry and dusty then try a vacuum cleaner with the brush head on the pages.

[@erinjoy8338]

Is there any way to save it if I’ve rubbed part of the cloth bound cover? There’s a bit of a white residue there now and I’m not sure if I took the dye out in the area.

[@thebookman4126]

That's a difficult one Erin. Many modern hardback novels actually have a paper covering (which looks like cloth) so you may have rubbed down to the paper layer underneath the finish. Is it a valuable book?

[@balqishazal]

What if after sandpapering the edges there are still visible brown stain/spots? should i try to wipe the edges with bleaching cloth/wipes next?

[@thebookman4126]

Again, it depends on whether it's a rare and valuable book. No harm in trying but I would always recommend taking it to a specialist if it's beyond the scope of what's practical as a DIY job...

[@JackSargePainting]

You mentioned that booksellers are usually only "expert" in one or two fields, may I ask what is your particular area of interest? Also, how did you get into having your own bookshop, did it spring from your own collecting?

[@thebookman4126]

Hi Jack. My personal main interest is in military/history and kind of techie books. I dived into the book trade at the deep end by simply buying a load of books and trading them online. I bought my shop a couple of years later (just an empty shop, so I made it into a bookshop). You can read the full story in my book (ebook version only at the moment until the Pandemic goes) . Thanks for commenting. www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Country-Bookseller-Michael-Sumner-ebook/dp/B08P5FK61K

[@JackSargePainting]

@@thebookman4126 - Fascinating, thanks so much for the reply Michael. One of my main interests is Military History books, although I do tend to jump about with regards to which era of history - at the moment it's the military history of "Victoria's Little Wars" during the latter half of the 19th century. Is there an online catalogue for what you stock?

[@thebookman4126]

It's a big subject as I'm sure you have found! I list my books on Abebooks (which is the largest book site in the world) so that takes up a LOT of my time. You can search/browse my books if you "find" me on there but there's nothing to beat browsing in the shop (I've also got a lot of military books in the shop (priced at about £4) each that I don't bother to put online. I'm hoping to be open again during March so if you are over this way then do drop in...

[@Bad-Bru]

HELLO FRIENDS! - TO THIS VERY DAY...IM JUST "HAPPLY BAFFLED" WEN I SINK INTO SUM OF MY INTERESTS HERE. I AM PROBABLY THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF U READING THIS COMMENT NOW, AND YET I FEEL AS IF WERE COLLEAGUES,ON OUR NATURAL COURSE. - AHHH. IT IS TERRIFYING, YET I LEARN MORE EVERYDAY THEN I THOT ANY HUMAN CUD IN A WEEK.....JUST WOW!!

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

Ok, don't say rubber, but also, don't say gum, in case some Trump supporters are watching, otherwise they'll pop it in their mouths and start chewing. On second thought, yes, please call it gum.

[@elizabethcosslett8937]

The best way to get sticker residue off is with a hair dryer. A few seconds on medium. Comes right off!!

[@philmarsh5593]

"Throw it away?!! And then..."talk to me and I'll find you a new one". Sharp business practice! Haha. Seriously though, these are great videos for future reference. That sandpaper idea I would never have thought of... Thanks once again.

[@thebookman4126]

Well times are hard Phil. Just kidding (well they are not brilliant) but often people hang on to things way past their shelf life (literally!). Hope all is well with you.

[@philmarsh5593]

@@thebookman4126 Perhaps if they're passed down from previous generations or they're just difficult to find, I'd hang on to them regardless, but otherwise - yes, fair point. All good thanks - we live an hour's drive from Wigtown (Scotland's book town of course) but haven't been there in a year. We live in a tiny village miles from anywhere so its a good place to be in a pandemic I think...! Fingers crossed you can open up again soon.

[@hamzatariq1571]

Is a book cleanser safe to have in a bedroom a liquid one. The white bottle one whatever brand it is I forgot its name. And how easy is it to fix ripped pages.

[@hamzatariq1571]

Do even new books have brown foxing or black bits on their pages?

[@BishopEddie5443]

I think you covered about everything, except how to read a book.

[@jayroland9481]

I find pure alcohol on a cotton ball is ideal for removing sticker residue.

[@ww8251]

Thanks for the information.

[@raynettetingle4001]

Thank you!!!! Saving this to see again and again.

[@thebookman4126]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

I recently purchased a hardcover book, publisher: The Industrial Press, copyright 1920. The boards of the book have been coated with a nonstick shiny substance which I can only describe as shellac? By someone coating this book with the shellac like substance, most likely around 1920, the book looks like it just came from the publisher. The gold leaf on the front and spine area is perfectly sealed in like new condition, and the boards have no discernable wear that I can only attribute to the coating. Have you ever heard of someone coating a hardcover book like this before?

[@Ty-er5ok]

Just discovered your channel and love it. Question: I just bought a book that I first read 50 years ago and lost over the years. I just got a replacement copy off eBay and its overall in terrific shape but the dust jacket is somewhat tattered on the edges. I have ordered book repair tape and a roll of the film you mentioned in your video on more advanced book repair. However, there are also dirty spots all along the outside edges of the pages, more than I think caused by dirty pages. Almost like coffee or something was sprayed on them. But the edges of those pages are not totally flat or uniform. They go in and out slightly. I think you know what I am talking about. So I don't think your sandpaper method will work. Do you have any other suggestions? It really doesn't bother me that much as the interior is just fine. It's purely aesthetic, but it would be nice to fix.