What is a safe and simple way to remove stale tobacco odor from fine
leatherbound books?  I bought some books that must have come from a
smoker's household, and would like to freshen them up without hurting
them.  Any suggestions?

Hi allic,

The best way to remove the stale tobacco odor from your books is with OZONE.

Ozone Air Cleaners Information
http://www.jenesco.com/ozone-air-cleaner-purifiers-generators.htm
Describes what Ozone is and how it removes odors.

CAUTION:  TOO MUCH OZONE CAN BE TOXIC - DO NOT BREATHE STRAIGHT OZONE
IN A SMALL SEALED AREA

Rent an small OZONE Generator and place it in a small area (closet,
unused bathroom) with the books.  Somehow arrange the books so the
pages are as exposed as possible.  Seal the area as best you can.  Run
the Ozone generator for 2-7 days.  Check the books after 2 days, if
there is any odor remaining, put them back for another day.  Keep
checking daily.  It will not take longer than 7 days.

I have used Ozone in my Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning business to
remove pet urine odors.  It is VERY effective.  The slight tobacco
odor you are bothered by will be easy to remove with Ozone.

You can locate Ozone Generators at your local tool rental stores.  In
my area they are called AAA Rentals, Sunbelt, Handy Andy, etc...


Here's what else I found if you want to try another method first. 
Remember, your text states FINE BOOKS.  I recommend the Ozone method,
but here's what I found.

Another person asking about the same thing:

..."I recently purchased some books over the internet. They smell like
cigarette smoke. Any suggestions to rid the books of this smell? ..."
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000592.tip.html

The (viable) suggestions on this page are:

1)  fan in a confined space
2)  activated charcoal (zeolite)
3)  deodorizing cat litter
4)  Ozone


Here's some testimonials from a place that sells Ozone Generators:

Ozone Generator Testimonials 
http://www.air-zone.com/testimonials.html

And here's a place that sells small home units:

Portable Home Ozone Air Purifier
http://www.appliedozone.com/purifiers.html

You might consider buying one if you are odor sensitive.  They make
your home smell wonderful.


If I can be of further assistance in regards to removing the tobacco
odor from your books, please don't hesitate to ask via the "Request
For Clarification" feature...


~~Cynthia


Search terms used at Google:

ozone "odor removal"
ozone books odor removal

Hi Allic,

Talcum powder.

Phil

Deodorising cat litter or bicarbonate of soda work quite well and
cheaply. Put some cat litter or bicarb into a clean old stocking and
knot the end. Put te books and the stocking into a plastic bag. Seal
the bag and leave for a day or two. Repeat as necessary.
Incidentally, the same technique also deodorises my daughter's
extremely smelly training shoes.