How to Store, Clean and Protect Used Books

Used books have already survived one owner. With a little care they’ll survive many more, and hold their value while they do. The enemies are heat, humidity, light, dust, pests and rough handling. Here’s how to defend against each.

Climate: cool, dry and stable

Paper and bindings age fastest in heat and react badly to damp and to swings in humidity. Aim for:

• A cool room, comfortable for people, with no radiators or heating vents next to the shelves
• Moderate relative humidity, roughly 35-50 percent; above about 60 percent mould becomes a risk, and very dry air can make bindings brittle
• Stability: steady conditions matter more than hitting an exact number

That rules out most basements, attics and garages, as well as shelves on exterior walls, which can be cold and damp. If you must store books in a less-than-ideal space, raise them off the floor and use a dehumidifier.

Light: keep it indirect

Sunlight and even strong indoor light fade spines and dust jackets and weaken paper. Keep shelves out of direct sunlight, use curtains or UV-filtering film on bright windows, and rotate display books occasionally.

Shelving the right way

• Upright, supported by neighbours or bookends, so books don’t lean and develop cocked spines
• Not too tight: you should be able to remove a book without forcing it
• Large, heavy books flat: oversized volumes are better lying flat to protect the binding, in short stacks
• Pull from the middle of the spine, not from the top edge, which tears the headcap
• Dust regularly with a soft brush or microfibre cloth, top edge first, brushing away from the spine

Protect dust jackets

For modern hardcovers, especially collectible ones, archival clear jacket covers protect against chips, tears and fading at very low cost. Use acid-free, removable covers designed for books, not adhesive library tape on valuable copies.

Boxing and moving books

Use small, strong boxes so they aren’t too heavy to lift. Pack books upright or flat, spine down is best avoided, and fill gaps so books don’t shift. Don’t store boxes on concrete floors. Label boxes with contents for quicker unpacking.

Cleaning used books safely

Gentle, dry methods are best:

• Dust: a soft brush or microfibre cloth on the top edge and covers.
• Dust jackets with a glossy finish: a barely damp cloth, then dry immediately.
• Pencil marks and grubby smudges: a soft white vinyl eraser, used gently, on sturdy paper only.
• Sticker residue: go slowly; heat from a hair dryer on a low setting can soften old adhesive on jackets. Test first.
• Musty smells: see our guide to removing musty smells.

Never use household cleaners, water on paper, or abrasive pads. On anything old or valuable, do as little as possible and ask a professional.

Pests and mould

Inspect books coming into your home, especially from damp storage or sales. Signs of trouble include small holes, frass (powdery debris), live insects, fuzzy spots or a strong musty smell. Isolate affected books in sealed bags away from your collection. Mould needs dry conditions and careful cleaning with proper protection; for valuable books, consult a conservator.

Handling habits that make a difference

• Clean, dry hands; no food or drink near open books
• Support the covers when opening; don’t force a tight book flat
• Use a slip of acid-free paper as a bookmark, not a pen, receipt or folded corner
• Never use paper clips, sticky notes or rubber bands on books

The payoff

Good storage costs almost nothing and protects both reading pleasure and resale value. A book kept cool, dry, upright and out of the sun will still be in good condition decades from now, and may be the Very Good copy a future collector is happy to pay for.