Bleach and water mixed. I'd use 1/2 and 1/2 if they're pretty moldy. Use a sponge and squeeze the bleach water out well and rub over the book covers and edges. Might want to use gloves if you have a lot of books. Let them dry in the sun, if possible. Hope this helps or someone has an easier way.

Before yo risk ruing the books with bleach or any other home remedy, call your local library and discuss the problem with the head librarian. Librarians are trained in the proper way to deal with that problem both for a health standpoint and the best way to preserve the books.

Believe it or not....Antimicrobial Febreze does the trick and doesn't smell so bad. Nor, will it do harm to the book and/or print.

I am chronically allergic to several allergens and mold is one of the worst. I had some furniture stored in the concrete basement storage area of my town house that picked up a terrible mold problem due to winter moisture accumulation over several years...even though it was tightly wrapped. I couldn't use any kind of Clorox/bleach mixture on this finely finished piece due to its abrasive nature. In desperation...I sprayed the entire piece with the above referenced Febreze. Let it dry. And viola! Both the odor and the mold were gone within the drying time with no harm done to the furniture finish. I considered it miraculous and have used this method on several other offending objects, including paper. The furniture piece that I originally did is now part of my small media/computer room and I've had no trouble breathing with it in here. Considering that I'm a writer and spend at least 6 - 8 hours a day at this computer, I'm very relieved that Febreze did such a good job.

Here's an answer from a librarian..........most librarians are not trained in book restoration or in book preservation for that matter. It is a very exact science and the technique varies dramatically depending on the composition of the book or other printed material. In most instances it's not worth the time or expense to save a book that was bought for regular circulation in a public library. Many of the books purchased today are not of a quality that insures long life and often it's easier and cheaper to purchase a replacement.

In a large public library or university or research library there are archivists on staff who have received specialized training in the proper techniques needed to restore material. They may be librarians but they could also be historians, art historians, book binders, conservationists or archival scientists.

If some disaster occurs like a flood or fire and books sustain water damage most libraries will ship the material to a facility where it is flash frozen to prevent mold. Then at a later date the material is treated and special chemicals used which are very expensive.

Bigbaby- if your moldy books are not valuable I'd go ahead and try treating them at home. Darthmouth Library's website has a FAQ section and they suggest a couple ways of handling it. If the books aren't valuable you have nothing to lose. I've often used the paper towel method when I was working in the library.

Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: Dartmouth Library

I'm glad you asked this question. I have lots of old books with condition problems, and the info is helpful. The link Maire Cate put has lots of ideas too.

Thanks everyone! The books I'm talking about aren't particularly valuable, but I'm a tightwad and don't want to buy new ones! I think I'll start with the Febreeze stuff Anne talked about. I normally HATE any kind of air fresheners or smelly sprays and don't use dryer sheets or anything because of the allergies but it sounds like Anne is in the same boat!

I'm also gonna check out that link, Marie. That sounds interesting.

SIGH.........I am also allergic to Fabreeze.

Heather...I, too, don't tolerate Febreze well at all...but...I spray items in a room that I can isolate until it dries. Once it dries, there is not residual odor. Or in good weather, I spray the items outside and let them air dry.

I might, also, mention that this particular Febreze is the only one I am able to tolerate at any level so perhaps the Antimicrobial has a lesser offending odor.

Bigbaby...We are two peas in a pod! If "it" has a perfume aroma...it doesn't live at my house. So I empathize completely.

Heather and Anne: I checked out the Febreeze stuff last night at the store. It's $4.89 at our local store. I sprayed a little on my hand to check the scent because I usually can't handle Febreeze, either. There was almost no odor to it at all. It had a very faint sort of lemony smell. After considering the price tag and the limited use of it I decided to try the bleach solution. I'm going to give that a try today.

Bigbaby...Sorry about the cost. I've had my container for quite some time so can't advise about pricing. I'll have to check my market the next time I go. However...a word of caution with the bleach. Please go lightly. It will destroy the printed word. Another natural solution you might try is a water and white vinegar mixture. It, too, will destroy some moldy aromas and it won't harm the print. Good luck!

Oh, I like he idea of vinegar.