A book damaged by water is potentially unsalvageable, depending on the level of damage to the bindings, the readability of the pages and the dirtiness of the water that caused the damage. There are, fortunately, some methods of removing the water damage to minimize the impact to a book.
Instructions
1. Remove the book from the water carefully to prevent further damage. Do not open the book. If the water is muddy or dirty, remove the book and then run the book under cold water. If required, use a sponge to spray water onto the book until the dirt is removed.
2. Lay the book out in a dry location and gently open the book. Take care when opening not to damage the binding or the paper. Place a weighted object on the book at the driest edge to keep the pages straight as it dries.
3. Turn on a dehumidifier. This will help the book dry faster.
4. Turn the book over every few hours. This allows the book to dry evenly.
5. Put the book in a box with an open box of baking soda if an odor starts. This will remove the odor without damaging the book.
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