’Tis the season for spring cleaning, which means it’s time to muster up the enthusiasm for a deep cleaning of all the nooks and crannies you neglect the rest of the year. However, the one project everyone seems to ignore is the bookshelf. Whether you have priceless books or those you snagged at a garage sale, books need to be cleaned periodically. The obvious reason for keeping any surface dust free is to keep allergies at bay. However, dusty books have their own perils. For one thing, dust left unchecked can stain covers and pages. Even worse, dust can attract insects that can cause further damage. Silverfish, in particular, have a craving for paper………you might say they’re “bookworms.” At the very least, you should be cleaning your books once a year. First, empty the shelves, which is also a good time to de-clutter books and donate the ones you no longer want. Clean the shelving with whatever cleaning product is appropriate for the type of shelving you have. Make sure you dry them thoroughly before replacing the books. When dusting your books, you’ll want to use soft cleaning tools and an even softer approach. Gently whisk in one direction, not back and forth. Brush down the spine and the back of the book, as well as the top of the book, which is where you’ll likely see the most dust. Lightly ruffle or flip through the pages to check that nothing is stuck. Skip the vacuum, as it’s too easy to scratch or dent a book cover with the machine. When you put the books back on the shelf, remember to give them some breathing room. You don’t want them to be packed too tight, especially with leather-bound books, since leather needs to breathe.
