Hello Dbalbert-ga!
There are a few methods for removing odors from books that I've heard work.
You could put the books into some sort of airtight container and put
baking soda into the container with them for about a week, since
baking soda absorbs odors.
http://www.tipking.com/cleaning/tip_133.shtml
Or, even better, sprinkling the baking soda in the bottom of the
container, laying down some paper towels, and then setting the
magazines on top of them. This will allow more soda to "reach out" and
grab smells.
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You can also put them in an airtight container with newspaper crumpled
up. Change the news paper ever 2 days or so until the smell is gone.
Newspaper works like a charm for odor, I personally use it in my
fridge and freezer.
http://collectbooks.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Remove_Odors_Books0962932573.htm
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Also, in the container you could place activated charcoal, which is a
lifesaver for removing odors. You can buy activated charcoal (which is
specially treated to remove odor molecules from air) at some
department store's house wares sections, appliance stores, or pet
shops. You could use something like this in the container as well.
http://www.backtobasicscatalog.com/quickorder.php///0/211/201/301095/.html?codes=FROOGLE
http://jon-doninc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=15087&language=1
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On a MSG board, I also found this suggestion
"It's too damp where I live to put anything valued out into the open
air. I've experimented with several books that smelled musty by
wrapping them well in pellon (spun polyester material, sold in fabric
stores), then burying the wrapped book in deodorizing cat litter,
which has a zeolite (Such as activated charcoal) in it. After a few
days, the books smell fine, but as they weren't MY books, I don't know
whether they have remained odor free. However, no one has told me the
smell came back."
Therefore, that's another option you could try.
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You could try a rag with vanilla extract on it, keeping it in a cup
next to the books in the container. I've also been told a cut up apple
in a bowl in the container would work well for removing smells as
well.
"Use vanilla extract. Put a large amount on a piece of rag. It will
draw the odor into the rag. When it starts smelling again, use more
vanilla. It works!"
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All of those suggestions do remove odor, though it may not be possible
to get 100% of the odor out, as paper is porous and the age of the
magazines. I do want to mention that.
If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher |
Clarification of Answer by
nenna-ga
on
14 Jun 2004 18:43 PDT
Hello again,
In my research, it seems the methods are the same for removing any
odor, must, tobacco, mold smell, etc. out of the books. Most products
designed to remove tobacco odor (from anything) are in liquid form,
hence me not mentioning them, as they would damage the paper. Anything
that seemed to get more specific for tobacco was in this category.
Everything I saw and know about just kept reccomending those options
that I mentioned to you, because they are the best dry ways to remove
odor.
I hope this clears things up.
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