If you haven’t noticed, we talk about all things mold. We’ve given you tips on mold prevention, we’ve told you what contributes to mold growth and we’ve even talked about how remove mold from your clothes.
But what about the other items in your house?
My brother has recently started collecting old books. (He says they’re “vintage,” but I’m just being honest.) One of the books he picked up at a local thrift store had some mold growing on the edges of the pages and I immediately began to wonder what it would take to remove the mold without damaging the book. (Yes, welcome to the life of someone who works in the mold removal industry.)
And this is why there is now a blog post on how to remove mold from books and any other paper items in your home. Are you ready to get started?
Mold Growth in General
Before we dig into hows of removing mold, let’s do a quick overview on the whats that cause mold to grow in the first place.
Mold needs a feeding source and moisture to grow. The moisture part is pretty cut and dry, (see what I did there?) but the feeding source has can be a variety of different items. Mold can find food in almost anything. It can feed on anything from your drywall to your insulation to your carpets and clothing. It also loves to munch on paper, which leads us to our next point.
Mold Removal from Books
If we were dealing with mold growth on any hard, non-porous surface, I would automatically direct you to old faithful – warm water, baking soda and vinegar.
However, since we’re talking about paper, I was a little worried that concoction might somehow damage the pages.
Before you start removing mold, make sure the books and pages with the books are completely dry. Take paper towels and place them between the pages and close the book. Make sure to press the book together firmly so the paper towels can effectively soak up any excess moisture left behind.
This needs to be done a few times to completely dry out the pages. Otherwise the pages will wrinkle.
Next take a little bit of hydrogen peroxide and use that to wet a cloth that won’t leave any traces of lint behind. Gently wipe the mold away. You may have to go over the mold a few times, but just take your time as you don’t want to rub too vigorously and tear any of the pages.
If you notice any lingering stains, you can use another cloth damp with some diluted lemon juice to help remove them.
It’s a pretty simple process all around and most people will have the ingredients needed in their home already.
However, if you suspect that little bit of mold on your books might be a sign of bigger problems in your home, we can help there as well.
The Professionals
Mold can be a huge inconvenience and removing mold can be a task you might not be up for, but we can help. Our team of certified professionals will answer any questions you have and help devise a plan that works with your timeline. Discovering mold in your home doesn’t mean you have to put a hold on everything in your life. Contact us today and let’s get you and your family back into a healthier, mold-free home.
Photo by Rendiansyah Nugroho on Unsplash
