With everything going digital and paperless nowadays, most novels and pocketbooks aren’t printed anymore. You can usually get them as an E-book which you can read on a kindle, a smartphone, or a tablet. But there’s still something about actual printed books in soft or hardbound covers that’s just enjoyable. For some, it’s the feeling of turning pages; others like the smell of new or old books; and highlighting some quotes and lines on printed books is also different. So, printed books still live on amidst everything else becoming digital.
If you’re a bookworm and have collected several books over the years, then you should take care of your books and store them properly. In this article, we’ll give you eight tips on how to take care of those printed treasures. Keep reading to find out more!
Keep them on proper shelves
There’s always going to be a tendency for you to just stack your books in a random corner of your room or table. But keeping them in bookcases is still the best choice! Bookcases or bookshelves are great for organizing your books so you can find them easily and see your collection displayed. It’s quite an achievement to see all the books you’ve read through the years, right? So, organize and display them on a shelf!
Keep in a cool dry place
Moisture and heat are probably the worst elements you can expose books to! If you want to keep your books for years to come, then make sure you store them away from heat and humidity. Place your bookshelves on interior walls so that they don’t absorb heat from outside. Keep them nice and dry by avoiding liquids touching them.
Clean them every once in a while
Dust is also one of your books’ worst enemies. Make sure to clean your books every once in a while by wiping the covers with a soft dry cloth. You can also use a dusting brush to sweep off any dust from them.
Handle them with care
When reading books, it’s no secret that most of us would have some chips or a drink nearby. We snack while reading, and our dirty hands are sure to stain and ruin the covers and pages of books. Handle your books with care and make sure your hands are clean and dry when reading. With this, you’re prolonging the pages of your books.
Wrap them in a plastic cover
This is the best way to keep your books’ covers in the best condition. You can find plastic covers at books stores and craft stores, and just watch videos online on how to cover them properly. Soft covers will benefit from this because they’re more delicate compared to hardbound covers.
Use a bookmark
It’s no secret that most of us would just put a book down on a surface to “bookmark” the last page we’ve read. This is a bad habit because the pages and spine of the book can easily get ruined. To avoid this, use an actual bookmark to save the last page you’ve read. Bookmarks are cheaper than books themselves, so get one to keep your book in good condition.
Take care of the spine
Using a bookmark is just one way of taking care of the spine of your books. But you have to be careful with handling them all the time. This is especially true with old books. You want to make sure you don’t bend or pull on the spine when getting them from the shelf. It’s important to be gentle when handling them. The spine of a book is what holds the book together; if it breaks, then your book is doomed. So, take care of the spine at all times!
Keep your books in the best condition!
So, those are seven tips to take care of your books. With quarantine and everything safer at home, it’s nice to unwind with a good book while lounging around the house. Books are the best way to gain knowledge and open yourself to new ideas from different authors. So, even if it’s the digital age where everything is going paperless, it’s refreshing to hold an actual book and turn pages manually.
The best thing about books is that they keep their character. Some bookworms and collectors have books from decades ago. So, those books have scuffs and some stains on them with dark pages. This just adds to what a book has gone through over the years. When you have a book for several years now, rereading it will surely take you back. Keep these tips in mind for you to make your books last for years to come. Books can even be passed on to a new generation, and that’s something meaningful, too! So, take care of your books. We hope these tips help you out.
