Keeping Books Clean

[TacoTaru]

I know this is probably an odd kind of question, but I've recently started ordering quite a few books and I'd like to keep them in the best condition I can: no yellowing on pages, no tears/bends in the dusk jacket, etc. Most of it is fairly obvious, but he main thing I'm concerned with is the yellowing of pages. Currently I'm living with my mom who smokes and smokes quite a bit inside the house. Is there any particular way to handle them so they don't get any yellowing on the pages from this? Also, when I live without smokers, will the pages yellow naturally if not taken care of a certain way, or do they still need to have something done with them?

[Ksandra]

This may not be helpful but might be a start: I know the packaging for comic books has a special material/liquid/something on the inside to do just that; prevent the yellowing of the pages. I would imagine that you can buy those covers in book-size as well (for people wanting to keep first editions etc.). Sadly though, not sure where you'd buy them/how much they are.

[TacoTaru]

Guess I should have mentioned but they're mostly hardcovers, and yeah they are first editions from a favorite author of mine is why I'd like to keep them as pristine as a I can.

[Kurp]

Oxidation causes the pages to yellow, so just being exposed to air will cause it regardless if it's smoky or not. I forget the name of them, but you can get paper and boxes to store them in.

[Frenzy]

Is there any particular way to handle them so they don't get any yellowing on the pages from this?

Putting them in plastic boxes might help. With smokers you not only face the yellowing pages, but also the terrible, difficult to get out again stink (it's a selling point on ebay when books come from a non-smoking household).

Also, when I live without smokers, will the pages yellow naturally if not taken care of a certain way, or do they still need to have something done with them?

It depends a bit upon the paper used. Some paper yellows easier than others. Generally keep them away from direct sun light (the fastest yellowing way you'll probably have access to) or light altogether. Depending upon the paper used touching them is also a danger, sweat and the natural acids can provoke an incredible fast reaction on the "right" kind of paper.
Otherwise, try to keep them dry, so they won't grow fungi and other nasties.

[Devek]

Don't jack off to them

[Ddz]

vacuum pack them obviously

[Finn]

vacuum pack them obviously

Thats the best idea.

Or you can put them in the fridge bith will do

[Chicomagiko]

Vacuum pack + fridge works wonders.

[TacoTaru]

Interesting, I guess I'll have to look around for vacuum seals then. Someone this morning recommended a ziplock bag as an alternative. Would that have the same effect?

Thanks for the advice.

[volcanicweather]

Bust out your 6th grade paper bag book cover skills

[zoobernut]

The yellowing happens when the acid in the paper oxidizes. It is also exacerbated by the oils on your skin when you handle the books as well as humidity and temperature. Like people have said sealing the books in bags will prevent yellowing also wearing gloves when handling the books or washing your hands very thoroughly before handling the books will help too.

[Skyylya]

watch the movie the ninth gate and get a room like that rich evil guy has.

gotta keep them in a secure oxygen maintained and relatively humid area.

[zoobernut]

High humidity is BAD for books.

yellowed:
A defect of the paper in a book, where the paper has discolored. It is a visible sign of decay. Good quality paper resists yellowing. Unfortunately, the bibliophile cannot usually tell what paper is prone to yellowing and which is not, at least not until the yellowing occurs.
Virtually all modern paper is manufactured from wood pulp. One of the components of wood is lignin, and unless the lignin is thoroughly washed from the paper, it will, over time, acidify and chemically attack the paper fiber.
The amount and rate of discoloration is going to vary with storage conditions. Higher temperature and higher humidity will hasten yellowing. Since environmental conditions are a major factor, it's not surprising that yellowing usually commences at the edges of the printed page, and slowly intrudes to the center. This is why you often see the catalog notation: "edges yellowed". Toning is the same as yellowing, but implies a very mild case. At the opposite extreme you have browning.
The product of certain publishers, especially publishers of juveniles, seem to be especially prone to paper discoloration. Saalfield is a particular example, and, unfortunately for those of us who remember the classic science fiction of the fifties with great fondness, so is Gnome Press.

Another link on storing rare books:

Temp range: 65-70 degrees F
Humidity range: 40-55%
Acid Free environment.

http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/pu...gram/19-02.pdf