If you own a lot of books at home, then you are well-aware of the dust and dirt that accumulate on its pages and on your bookshelves. Cleaning the shelves and the books on them may seem like a tedious ordeal—especially if you have a lot of books, to boot—but it’s a necessary chore to handle.
To make this task easier for you, however, here is a quick and easy guide to help you clean your bookshelves and your books efficiently:
Clear Your Shelves
Before you sort out your books, the first order of business is to clear it out first. Take out all your books first and sort them out once you’re done cleaning them.
Clean the Shelf
When the shelves are finally cleared of books, it’s now time to clean it. Use a dry cloth to remove the dust from the surface and then use a damp cloth with soap to get rid of any smudges or grime. Consider this one of the easiest ways of bookshelf and book cleaning, doing it methodically can make the entire process much easier!
With your books out of the way, this provides an opportunity to add a bit more thorough cleaning on your list. Move the bookshelf away from the wall so you can also reach and clean the back—now’s the best time since you won’t get to do this regularly!
Check the Bottom
More often than not, your bookshelf has felt pads on the bottom so you can move it easily without scratching your floor. Remember that those pads can also accumulate a copious amount of dust and other dirt over time. Now is the right time to clean it and wipe away the debris—simply do a quick sweep of the underside and run a cloth on these pads!
Treat the Scratches
Over time, bookshelves can develop scratches—if caught early, then you can still do something about it. Use a damp microfiber cloth and a Magic Eraser to remove any visible scuffs or marks on your shelves. For wood bookshelves, you can use a scratch repair product or color it in using a crayon with the same shade as your shelves’ wood.
Use Vacuum
When you are finally done cleaning your bookshelf, vacuum the floor where it sits. That way, you know that when you put the shelf back, the floor will be clean and dustless as well.
Clean The Books
Keep in mind that when cleaning books, you shouldn’t focus on the exterior only. The inside pages may have mildew, dust, or insects. For valuable and old books, you can take it to a professional book restorer for better results.
To start cleaning your books, start by laying a sheet or old towel on the floor. If the books have dust jackets, then remove them and set them aside—this allows you to clean the entirety of your books without issue. Place a double layer cheesecloth over your vacuum cleaner’s hose then secure it with a rubber band. With the books are closed, vacuum the cover and the edges of the pages to remove the dust.
After this, fan the pages to remove the dust and wipe the outside cover with a lightly damp, lint-free white cloth.
If your books have mold and mildew, then make sure to wear a mask for protection. You will need to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the worst of it, and you will need to leave the book open for the treated page to dry.
Conclusion
Indeed, cleaning bookshelves and books is tedious, but it’s an important part of maintaining the order and cleanliness of your home. If you don’t want to do it on your own, however, then you can always hire a house cleaning service to do it for you on a regular basis.
Here at The Dream Clean Team, we can help you have your bookshelves and books properly cleaned through our house cleaning services in Niceville, Florida. Contact us and book a schedule with our professional cleaners today!
