after spending some $30,000 on a library of Folio, Easton, Oxford Press, and other rare and older books I decided it's time to learn how to take better care of them. Thanks for the tips.
As a rather new book reader, I had no clue books required any maintenance at all! (Of course, I don't expect them to remain just as vibrant and new throughout the years) I always wondered why my father's books were more often than not filled with yellow spots and tinted pages (Both old and new) but now I know! I never thought that double stacking could be a problem, I always double-stack my books to save space but perhaps that habit will have to die now. I really liked the travel section of the video, as someone who rarely travels without books I usually carry a separate bag for them so a case specifically designed for them is perfect! I'd suggest keeping your books in the smallest and outermost pocket of a bag if you do not have something like this. I keep all my books in a wardrobe (they have assigned shelves for them specifically of course) and was wondering if books could be damaged due to lack of sunlight? Love the vid, keep it up!
I know! I guess it depends on general if you're that bothered about keeping them looking nice. A lot of people just want to read and get on with it but if you like your books to stay looking new for longer, then we have a teeny bit of work to do. I don't think it would hurt to have them in darkness, it would probably help if anything. Might be a bit more dusty? Although I have no idea.
But stacking gives me more space, something I really lack now 😭 I don't do it anymore with the hardcover ones, but only with the paperbacks. Great tip with the make up brush! Will use it next time. And the book sleeve is really cute, might try and make one myself.
I know 😭 I ran out of room too so ended up buying another bookcase. Luckily I had just enough room to fit it in 😬. Oooo I love the idea of making your own. I bet there are patterns for them online
For stickers I always carefully peel them off, then use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to remove the residue. So that’s another good option, it always works for me!
I have the opposite of dryness inside my house, so no worries with my library of books - however, I can't hang my ukulele on the wall as I'd like to. Have to keep that inside my case, along with a humidifier packet. So there's pros and cons with both dry and humid environments.
For sticker removal, I have used lighter fluid, just dribble it on the sticker and wait about 10 minutes, then add a few more drops to the sticker, and gently, with a fingernail, remove the label. For harder cases , apply the lighter fluid again, and set the. Book aside for longer time period. The lighter fluid evaporates full, leaves. No residue, and never have I noticed any harm to the book or jacket. Your idea of moving the books forward, but I had some shelved a little too tight against each other, and books of different depth ( books presenting their spine a little forward developed some spine 'cocking, so I have shelved them looser. With the metal end supports added, I think the books would not be too tight to each other, as well as promoting air flow... great presentation! I have some books that are quite valuable and I feel a sense of responsibility to keeping them 'tip top' so I appreciate your video, thank you, AL
Thank you, I love reading and books, but don't do much care so your tips were very useful. One quick question: how often do you do "book cleaning day"?
Most of my books are expensive and imported and When my new book shelve and my own room will be ready in next month,I will shift all expensive books in it and will clean my shelve and books every week to remain them high quality. Since I am from Pakistan,imported books caused too much expensive which are also hardcover from Everymans Library.
Thank you soo much ☺️ Never knew about a moisture meter, will try and get one. I have to clean my books, it’s been so long 🥲 and the place where I’ve kept the bookshelf is damp/cold, maybe because of it, my books are getting foxed (yellow spots) 😭 Even though the place where I live - Bangalore, they say it’s not very humid and it’s not. Don’t know the reason 🤦🏻♂️ I’ve observed tiny insects as well 😭 Debating whether I should place all my books in a freezer, like they say on the internet. But I’m not sure about colour printed books (academic books) And I don’t know what to do after that. Planning to get a wooden bookshelf with glass doors after I clean them. Acid free paper books are too good! But sadly very few are books are printed on such paper ☹️
hello Gina. Love the tips in this video. I'm wondering if you can tell me the etsy seller for the fabric dust jacket in your video. I've been looking but I can't quite find that particular style. Thank you.
I just had a look and it turns out the seller I bought the wrap around one from doesn't even have their store on Etsy anymore 😢. Which is sad because it's really nice quality
Any tips to save a few books that have accidentally got SOAKED in Diet-Coke! This also happened on the way home from the bookshop! Devastating! I've gently given then a going over with the hair dryer and the are now under a chopping board and some heavy weights but I don't think it is going to fully get rid of the wavy pages???
Oh gosh that sounds horrible!! I think you'll struggle to get rid of the wavy pages because paper isn't easy to dry straight again. But what you're already doing seems like the best bet. 😢
I never break the spine of paperbacks because there's never a reason to bend the pages more than 90 degrees while reading. I put all my most valuable books' dust jackets in Brodart Just-a-Fold III archival book jackets, and once I've read them, i take care of my books by putting them on my bookshelf away from heaters and air conditioners and then just leaving them alone, dusting them only when I notice dust build-up.
It depends what material the paperback cover is. If it's shiny, you can try wiping it with a damp cloth. If it's paper, something like oils, even from your fingers, might be almost impossible to remove.
Very interesting. I especially like the athletics of books that feel used. Therefore I will never take care of my books like you do. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to watch the video :)
Please my country here is so humid so the point im worried abt my books. I had a room with no windows, totally colder but not too cold. Do u think its a good idea to put my books in there? I really want my books to stay clean n not moldy or yellow-ish😓. I literally saw bookmites on one of my novel this morning. Cause currently im putting my books in a room thats pretty humid and i really have no idea what to do. Help me out pls🙏😓😓
Should you remove the dust jacket after reading the book that you are reading and put them vertically because you are going some time to read a particular book.
i have a question. What's your opinion on covering the books with plastic covers? I always get scared to read it without a plastic cover since I might get it dirty even without meaning to. I also saw some people use plastic jackets to seal it in the shelf and then they remove it when they wanna read it.. then there's also others who just doesnt cover them at all. I can't regularly clean them even if i wanted to since I'm usually busy. so what's the best thing to do?
Do you have any tips for taking care of your books?
after spending some $30,000 on a library of Folio, Easton, Oxford Press, and other rare and older books I decided it's time to learn how to take better care of them. Thanks for the tips.
…
Exactly the video I was looking for.
As a rather new book reader, I had no clue books required any maintenance at all! (Of course, I don't expect them to remain just as vibrant and new throughout the years) I always wondered why my father's books were more often than not filled with yellow spots and tinted pages (Both old and new) but now I know!
I never thought that double stacking could be a problem, I always double-stack my books to save space but perhaps that habit will have to die now. I really liked the travel section of the video, as someone who rarely travels without books I usually carry a separate bag for them so a case specifically designed for them is perfect! I'd suggest keeping your books in the smallest and outermost pocket of a bag if you do not have something like this. I keep all my books in a wardrobe (they have assigned shelves for them specifically of course) and was wondering if books could be damaged due to lack of sunlight?
Love the vid, keep it up!
I know! I guess it depends on general if you're that bothered about keeping them looking nice. A lot of people just want to read and get on with it but if you like your books to stay looking new for longer, then we have a teeny bit of work to do.
I don't think it would hurt to have them in darkness, it would probably help if anything. Might be a bit more dusty? Although I have no idea.
But stacking gives me more space, something I really lack now 😭 I don't do it anymore with the hardcover ones, but only with the paperbacks. Great tip with the make up brush! Will use it next time. And the book sleeve is really cute, might try and make one myself.
I know 😭 I ran out of room too so ended up buying another bookcase. Luckily I had just enough room to fit it in 😬. Oooo I love the idea of making your own. I bet there are patterns for them online
This video is so relaxing - never knew about taking care of books like this!
Awwww thank you! I'm so glad it feels relaxing!! 🥰🥰
For stickers I always carefully peel them off, then use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to remove the residue. So that’s another good option, it always works for me!
I tried the rubbing alcohol but I found it took some of the colour off the cover I tested it on 🥲
You can get glue degumming wipes. Or glue degumming liquid to wipe off the residue. It works from my experience 😊
thank you so much! ♥I'll put all these tips into practice
I have the opposite of dryness inside my house, so no worries with my library of books - however, I can't hang my ukulele on the wall as I'd like to. Have to keep that inside my case, along with a humidifier packet. So there's pros and cons with both dry and humid environments.
Really excellent tips to keep all these books safe!
Thank you so much for saying so!!
For sticker removal, I have used lighter fluid, just dribble it on the sticker and wait about 10 minutes, then add a few more drops to the sticker, and gently, with a fingernail, remove the label. For harder cases , apply the lighter fluid again, and set the. Book aside for longer time period. The lighter fluid evaporates full, leaves. No residue, and never have I noticed any harm to the book or jacket. Your idea of moving the books forward, but I had some shelved a little too tight against each other, and books of different depth ( books presenting their spine a little forward developed some spine 'cocking, so I have shelved them looser. With the metal end supports added, I think the books would not be too tight to each other, as well as promoting air flow... great presentation! I have some books that are quite valuable and I feel a sense of responsibility to keeping them 'tip top' so I appreciate your video, thank you, AL
Lovely video thank you for the tips
That's a great tip! Especially if you plan on keeping and re-reading them! Paperbacks are so easy to damage
I enjoy this video very much then.
This is super helpful! Thank you so much ❤❤❤
You're so welcome!
I just found your channel and I loved this video very much! Thank you!!!
@@bellshellss Awwww thank you for saying so 🥹
thank you so much!
Thank you for the tips. Any tips on removing mold off of books?
Very informative, you’re a legend! :)
Awwww thank you!!
Do you annotate your books? Are highlighters bad for book pages?
I do sometimes! I use sticky tabs and seethrough post-it notes to keep my pages clean.
Thank you, I love reading and books, but don't do much care so your tips were very useful. One quick question: how often do you do "book cleaning day"?
@@rob1nzonas hmmmm maybe once every 4 months. Not super often honestly. I could do it more often 😬
Most of my books are expensive and imported and When my new book shelve and my own room will be ready in next month,I will shift all expensive books in it and will clean my shelve and books every week to remain them high quality.
Since I am from Pakistan,imported books caused too much expensive which are also hardcover from Everymans Library.
Thank you soo much ☺️
Never knew about a moisture meter, will try and get one.
I have to clean my books, it’s been so long 🥲 and the place where I’ve kept the bookshelf is damp/cold, maybe because of it, my books are getting foxed (yellow spots) 😭
Even though the place where I live - Bangalore, they say it’s not very humid and it’s not. Don’t know the reason 🤦🏻♂️ I’ve observed tiny insects as well 😭
Debating whether I should place all my books in a freezer, like they say on the internet. But I’m not sure about colour printed books (academic books)
And I don’t know what to do after that.
Planning to get a wooden bookshelf with glass doors after I clean them.
Acid free paper books are too good! But sadly very few are books are printed on such paper ☹️
Oh wow, yes I think the freezer would kill the bugs for sure but the moisture metre will help you rule out humidity just in case
hello Gina. Love the tips in this video. I'm wondering if you can tell me the etsy seller for the fabric dust jacket in your video. I've been looking but I can't quite find that particular style. Thank you.
I just had a look and it turns out the seller I bought the wrap around one from doesn't even have their store on Etsy anymore 😢. Which is sad because it's really nice quality
@@GinaLuciaReads that's a bummer but thank you for taking the time to look for me.
Any tips to save a few books that have accidentally got SOAKED in Diet-Coke! This also happened on the way home from the bookshop! Devastating! I've gently given then a going over with the hair dryer and the are now under a chopping board and some heavy weights but I don't think it is going to fully get rid of the wavy pages???
Oh gosh that sounds horrible!! I think you'll struggle to get rid of the wavy pages because paper isn't easy to dry straight again. But what you're already doing seems like the best bet. 😢
@@GinaLuciaReads Managed about 90% improvement 😀 - I will never put my bottle in same bag as my books again though, lesson learned! 🤣
I never break the spine of paperbacks because there's never a reason to bend the pages more than 90 degrees while reading. I put all my most valuable books' dust jackets in Brodart Just-a-Fold III archival book jackets, and once I've read them, i take care of my books by putting them on my bookshelf away from heaters and air conditioners and then just leaving them alone, dusting them only when I notice dust build-up.
@@Beery1962 just looked up those books covers because I've never heard of them before. A great idea especially for your precious books
Is there a way to clean a paperback book cover that has finger prints/the oils from your hands?
It depends what material the paperback cover is. If it's shiny, you can try wiping it with a damp cloth. If it's paper, something like oils, even from your fingers, might be almost impossible to remove.
Very interesting.
I especially like the athletics of books that feel used. Therefore I will never take care of my books like you do. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to watch the video :)
Well honestly I'm glad for you. Taking care of books to keep them nice is extra effort 😅
Please my country here is so humid so the point im worried abt my books. I had a room with no windows, totally colder but not too cold. Do u think its a good idea to put my books in there? I really want my books to stay clean n not moldy or yellow-ish😓. I literally saw bookmites on one of my novel this morning. Cause currently im putting my books in a room thats pretty humid and i really have no idea what to do. Help me out pls🙏😓😓
@@calxtt I personally use a dehumidifier and have little humidity monitors next to my books. If you can, I'd do that!
I have like 30 warrior cat books so I might as well
Should you remove the dust jacket after reading the book that you are reading and put them vertically because you are going some time to read a particular book.
i have a question. What's your opinion on covering the books with plastic covers? I always get scared to read it without a plastic cover since I might get it dirty even without meaning to. I also saw some people use plastic jackets to seal it in the shelf and then they remove it when they wanna read it.. then there's also others who just doesnt cover them at all. I can't regularly clean them even if i wanted to since I'm usually busy. so what's the best thing to do?
You could absolutely do that, especially if you want to keep them in good condition. I personally don't because I don't like the look.