How to Get Rid of the Musty Smell in Old Books

That sweet, slightly vanilla “old book smell” comes from paper and adhesives slowly breaking down, and many readers love it. A sharp, musty, damp-basement smell is different. It usually means the book has been stored somewhere humid and may have mould. The good news: mild mustiness can often be reduced at home with patience.

First, check for mould

Before treating the smell, look closely at the pages, edges, gutters and covers in good light. Signs of active mould include fuzzy or powdery growth, spots that smear, and pages that feel damp or clump together.

• If you see active mould: isolate the book in a sealed bag, away from other books. Let it dry fully. Mould cleanup should be done with a mask and gloves, outdoors or in a ventilated area; valuable books should go to a conservator.
• If there’s no visible mould and the book is dry: carry on with the steps below.

Step 1: Dry and air it

Moisture keeps the smell alive. Stand the book upright, fanned slightly open, in a dry, well-ventilated room for a few days. A fan nearby helps. Brief indirect daylight can help freshen a book, but avoid long exposure to direct sun, which fades covers and weakens paper.

Step 2: Use an odour absorber in a closed container

Place the book in a lidded plastic box or large container along with an odour absorber, without letting the absorber touch the book. Common choices:

• Activated charcoal (from pet or aquarium suppliers) in an open dish
• Baking soda in a shallow open dish
• Unscented, clay-based cat litter in an open tray
• Plain newspaper or paper towels interleaved loosely (replace as they absorb)

Close the container and leave it for a week, then check. Repeat with fresh absorber as needed. Stubborn smells can take several weeks. Keep the book upright and slightly open so air reaches the pages.

Step 3: Keep it fresh

Once the smell has faded, store the book in a cool, dry room with good air circulation. Put a small dish of charcoal on the shelf if the room tends towards damp, and consider a dehumidifier. See our storage guide.

What not to do

• Don’t apply baking soda, powders or sprays directly to pages; they’re hard to remove and can damage paper.
• Don’t use perfumes or air fresheners on books; they mask the smell, add chemicals and can stain.
• Don’t microwave or heat books to dry them.
• Don’t seal a damp book in a bag without drying it first; that encourages mould.
• Don’t shelve a musty book with others until it’s treated; odours and mould spores can spread.

When to give up

Some books, especially those that were soaked or stored for years in damp basements, never fully lose their smell. For an ordinary reading copy, it may be better to recycle it and find a fresh copy (our price comparison makes that easy). For a valuable or sentimental book, ask a book conservator about professional cleaning and deodorising.

Selling a musty book?

Always disclose odours in a listing; buyers notice immediately and smell is a common reason for returns. Many buyback services reject books with strong odours. Our Condition Grader includes this in its condition note.