If you’re a book lover, you may run out of bookshelf space and have to store your excess books in cartons or those large plastic bins you see in container stores. Wrap a few charcoal briquettes in cheesecloth or in an old sock, and put them in the box along with the books. (Some plastic containers even have a small compartment in the lid for such mildew-busting products.) This helps to prevent mustiness and mildew. Store the carton in a cool, dry place, which will also help to keep your books in good condition. If you’ve failed to do that to already-stored books and you’ve got a few musty classics, here’s what to do…
Put the odorous tome (or two or three, but don’t crowd too tightly) in a brown paper bag, and fill the bag with crinkled pieces of plain (noncolored) newspaper or one cup of natural clay kitty litter (not the clumping kind). Close up the bag, securing it with a rubber band. After a few days, open the bag, take out the book and check to see if the smell is gone. If it isn’t, replace the newspaper pages or kitty litter with a fresh supply, close the bag tightly again and let it stay that way for two more days. Keep repeating until the book is odor-free.
More fresh home ideas…
