Jake Harper
Wet books are a delicate situation, and it's important to act quickly to prevent damage. The first step is to remove excess water from the book's exterior, and if the book is dripping wet, do not open it as the pages will tear easily. If you have time, place the book in a freezer bag and freeze it to prevent damage until you can dry it properly. If the book is only slightly damp, lay it on its side on top of absorbent paper towels, and stand it upright on a dry, flat surface. Interleave the pages with paper towels to absorb moisture, and be sure to replace them when they become wet. Place the book in a room-temperature location and allow it to air dry. If the book has a musty smell, place it in a box with baking soda or clean cat litter to absorb the odour.
Characteristics and Values Table for Book Rescue from Water Damage
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Initial Action | If the book is dripping wet, focus on removing external moisture. Stand the book upright on paper towels or cloth to absorb water. |
| Draining | Place the top edge of the book upright on a sponge to drain water through the edge without soaking all pages. |
| Interleaving | Use paper towels or blotting paper to interleave pages, extending beyond the page edge. Place sheets every 10-20 pages without stressing the binding. |
| Freezing | If short on time or unable to start drying within 48 hours, freeze the book in a freezer-safe bag. This prevents damage and mold growth. |
| Thawing | Allow frozen books to thaw gradually, still in their bag, at room temperature. Do not let the book remain in its bag after thawing. |
| Drying | Use a fan to gently dry the pages. Ensure the breeze is gentle to avoid ruffling the pages. |
| Odor Removal | Place the book in an open box with baking soda or clean cat litter in a larger closed container. This absorbs odors without touching the book. |
| Monitoring | Weigh the book periodically to monitor drying progress; the book will get lighter as it dries. |
| Replacement | Consider if replacing the book is a cheaper option than restoration, especially for easily replaceable books. |
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What You'll Learn
Absorb moisture with paper towels
If your book is wet from thawed chicken, one of the first steps you can take to rescue it is to absorb the moisture with paper towels.
First, if the book is dripping wet, focus on removing the moisture on the outside of the book. Hold the book shut and gently shake it to remove any external liquid. Then, lay down a few sheets of plain white (not dyed) absorbent paper towels in a clear, flat, dry area. Place the book upright on the paper towels and tilt it on a sponge to allow the water to drain through the edge of the book and not through the pages. Keep the book covers open, but do not fan the pages.
Once the book has drained, open the covers and stand the book up on a few paper towels. Interleave the pages with paper towels or blotting paper that extends about 1" beyond the edge of the pages, except at the edge that the book is standing on. Place these interleaving sheets every 10-20 pages, ensuring not to stress the binding with too much interleaving. You can also stick paper towels in between each page, ripping the paper towel in half if needed. Remove the interleaving sheets once they become wet and place new sheets elsewhere in the book to speed up the drying process.
While paper towels can help absorb moisture, it is important to note that they will need to be replaced frequently as they become saturated. Additionally, if you live in a dry climate, you can place the book outside to help speed up the drying process. However, do not leave the book out overnight, as the morning dew can undo your progress.
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Freeze the book
If your book has been soaked in thawed chicken, the first thing to do is to remove as much excess water from the outside of the book as possible. Hold the book shut and shake it gently to remove any external liquid. You can also blot the book with paper towels to absorb the moisture.
If you are short on time or unable to begin the drying process within 48 hours, freezing the book is a good option to prevent further damage. Here are the steps to freeze the book:
Steps to Freeze the Book:
- Blot the book: Before placing the book in the freezer, gently blot as much excess moisture from the cover and internal pages as possible using good-quality paper towels.
- Prepare the book for freezing: Place the book in a freezer-safe plastic bag and seal it tightly. The bag will prevent the book from sticking to the inside of the freezer or other objects.
- Freeze the book: Put the bagged book in the freezer. The colder the freezer, the better. Freezing the book will not dry it, but it will prevent further damage and give you time to gather the necessary materials for proper drying.
- Thaw gradually: When you are ready to dry the book, remove it from the freezer but keep it sealed in its bag. Place the bagged book in a room-temperature location and allow it to thaw gradually. This can take from a few hours to several days, depending on the size and wetness of the book.
- Initiate the drying process: Once the book has completely thawed, you can begin the drying process. It is important not to let the book sit in its bag after it has thawed, as this can encourage mold growth.
Freezing the book is a temporary solution to prevent damage while you prepare for the actual drying process. Once the book is thawed, you can follow the standard procedures for drying a wet book, such as using paper towels, air-drying, or seeking professional help.
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Remove excess water
If your book is dripping wet, start by removing excess water from the outside. Hold the book shut and shake it gently to get rid of any external liquid. You can also try placing the book upright on a sponge, tilting it so that water drains through the top edge of the book and not through the pages.
If the book is soaked but not dripping, you can try to squeeze out the water. Close the book and use a rolling pin to roll the water out. However, this method may cause unwanted creases in the pages.
Once you've removed the excess water, lay the book on its side on top of a few sheets of plain white, absorbent paper towels. Make sure the spot you choose is clear, flat, and dry, and that the book is unlikely to be disturbed as it dries. If you don't have paper towels, you can use dry rags instead, but avoid using dyed paper towels as these can bleed colour when wet.
If your book is dripping wet, you can also place it in a freezer-safe plastic bag and store it in the freezer to prevent damage until you have time to dry it properly.
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Prevent mould growth
If a book has been soaked in thawed chicken juices, it is important to act quickly to prevent mould growth. Mould is a type of fungus that thrives when it finds an appropriate food source and the right level of humidity. Here are some detailed and direct instructions to prevent mould growth:
- Freeze the Book: If you are unable to dry the book immediately, place it in a plastic zip-top bag and put it in the freezer. Freezing will stop the impact of water damage and prevent mould growth.
- Thaw and Dry: Once you are ready to treat the book, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw. Place absorbent materials, such as paper towels or rags, between each page of the book. Wrap the entire book in a towel and put a heavy item on top to squeeze out the moisture. Repeat this process until the book is damp but not soaking wet.
- Sunlight and Air Circulation: Direct sunlight is an effective way to kill mould spores. Expose the book to sunlight, but only for about an hour, as prolonged exposure can cause damage and bleaching. You can also use fans or hair dryers to promote air circulation and speed up the drying process.
- Dehumidify: High humidity is one of the main reasons books become mouldy. To prevent mould growth, control the humidity in the storage area. Running a dehumidifier will help reduce humidity and lower the risk of mould development.
- Clean and Store: Keep your books clean, as mould spores are attracted to dirty surfaces. Additionally, avoid storing books in humid areas such as basements or closets. Choose storage areas with good air circulation and avoid placing books against outside walls.
By following these steps, you can effectively prevent mould growth on a book that has been soaked in thawed chicken juices. Remember to work quickly and handle mouldy items with caution to minimise the potential health risks associated with mould exposure.
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Flatten the book
Once the book has been dried using paper towels, sponges, or freezing, and is dry to the touch, it's time to flatten it. The book will likely be swollen, with wrinkled pages and covers that don't close properly. To flatten the book, place it under a weight. This can be done by putting the book under a stack of heavy books, or by placing heavy weights, such as bricks, on top of a flat surface with the book underneath. Ensure that the book is completely dry before doing this, as any remaining moisture will be squeezed out by the weight and could cause mold to grow.
It is important to note that the weight should be applied gradually. Start with a lighter weight and gradually increase it over time as the book becomes less swollen. This process may take several days or even weeks, depending on the severity of the swelling. During this time, continue to check for mold growth and ensure that the book is drying properly. If the book is not drying properly, you may need to repeat the drying process or seek professional help from a preservation specialist.
Another method to flatten the book is to use a rolling pin. Close the book and gently roll the rolling pin over the spine and covers to flatten any creases or wrinkles. However, be cautious when using this method, as too much pressure can damage the book further. Open the book and lay it flat on a surface, placing a piece of paper or towel between each page to absorb any remaining moisture. Change this paper or towel regularly to ensure that the book dries effectively.
If the book is still misshapen after attempting these methods, it may be necessary to have the binding redone by a professional bookbinder. They will be able to assess the damage and determine the best course of action to restore the book to its original condition.
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Frequently asked questions
If your book is dripping wet, do not open it as the pages will be delicate and can tear easily. Instead, focus on removing the moisture from the outside of the book.
Hold the book shut and gently shake it to remove any external liquid. You can also place the book upright on a sponge and tilt it so that the water drains through the edge of the book and not through the pages.
Place absorbent paper towels in between the pages of the book to pick up the remaining moisture. Ensure the paper towels extend about 1" beyond the edge of the pages.
Place the book in a freezer-safe plastic bag and put it in the freezer. Freezing the book will prevent damage and give you time to gather the necessary materials to dry the book properly.
Place the book, propped open, in an open box. Put the box in a larger closed container along with an open box of baking soda. The baking soda will absorb the odour without touching the book.
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