Many people woke Christmas morning to find a new e-reader under the tree. Although I think these are pretty cool gadgets, I prefer a good old-fashioned book. The crack of the spine. The smell of the pages. That’s the way I like to experience the written word. If you, like me, have books around the house, here are a few tips on taking care of your treasured tomes.
While there’s no doubt that e-readers are gaining in popularity, traditional books are still an important part of many households. Some are one-time reads; some are treasured resources. Some are merely decorative, while others are there for the enjoyment of turning the physical page.
During routine cleaning, bookshelves are usually subject to a cursory dusting – a pass with a dust rag, a flick of a duster and you’re done. But if there are books you want to hold onto for a long time, proper cleaning will extend their life. Dust and dirt can abrade pages and bindings and attract insects. In addition, a dusty, dirty environment supports mold growth, which isn’t good for the books or healthy for the humans around them, particularly if those humans suffer from asthma or allergies.
January is National Book Month – the perfect time to sort, donate, properly clean and store your books suggests Nancy Bock, Vice President of Consumer Education at the American Cleaning Institute®.
Have any additional tips? Please leave them in the comments.
The tips above come from the American Cleaning Institute and are used with permission.
