How to get that awful dusty smell out of books?

This affects books that are Mass Trade Paperback as opposed to the nicer trade paperbacks. I've noticed that MTP books tend to have a really dusty smell to them after they've been on the shelf for a while--they have them at the bookstore too.





I HATE that smell and feel of the pages, but I don't know how to get rid of it! I've tried wiping my books down, but the smell is in the actual pages. Short of putting my books in plastic bags, what do you suggest?

How to get that awful dusty smell out of books?
Mass market paperbacks have cheaper grade paper, so they get the musty smell faster than other books. But I have really old books that are not mass market kind, and they are musty too. I confess that I really do like the smell (it depends on how strong it is though).





The only thing I've tried is placing the books, open (with a paperweight or something) but not so open as to damage the spine, outdoors--out of sunlight and out of the elements, of course. I think I've left them out for a day or two. It works fine. I'm hesitant to use any kind of cleaner or anything that might damage the book.





I think storage method helps too. All of my books are kept out of sunlight (the library's curtains are almost always closed) and the library is the coldest room in the house, aside from the basement. I'm in Canada, which helps in that respect. Also, I allow for few inches of space in front and behind the books on the shelves. Air circulation is important to avoid mould, etc.





Here is a site with natural methods to reduce the smell:


http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf585248.tip.h...
Reply:Moth balls
Reply:I know the smell you are talking about. It CAN be awful at times. When you wiped them down did you try doing it with a fabric softener sheet? I don't know if that helps, but it MIGHT. Or try putting fabric softener sheets in the book at certain intervals and let it sit for a day, then see what happens.





Best wishes!
Reply:If you fan out the pages and let them sit in the air (sometimes in the sun, but not too much or it will discolor)





I've been told that if you sprinkle baking soda within the book and let it set for a few days and then shake it out it will take out mild smoke smells, so it should help with this too (but that might be a lot of trouble.) It can be repeated if necessary.





Good luck!
Reply:Sure, try plastic bags or containers.
Reply:I'm not quite sure you can. I know, i hate it too. I think it's cause they're made of the same or similar paper as newspaper. maybe you're like me, I'm allergic to newsprint so touching books like that makes my fingers itch (in the painful way) and the smell makes my eyes water and redden a bit (with books it irritates them, but people can't see it. but with newsprint, its noticeable to the eye.) If this happens to you - maybe in a lesser degree, maybe not - you may be sorta allergic to it So, that might be the cause, I'm not sure if it's fixable though.


(Ever flipped through a book like that real fast? It practically killed me the smell was so bad.)
Reply:I have no idea how to get rid of it, but I LOVE that smell!