BookJingle Blog

So, you’ve decided to dig up those old boxes of books from the attic to sell on BookJingle? Good for you! Selling your used books to BookJingle is an excellent way to make some space in the house, and make some extra cash! But, lo-and-behold, the attic hasn’t exactly been the best place to store books. Cobwebs and a little dirt can be cleaned off  books in a snap, and as long as they still match BookJingle’s guidelines (ex: no water damage, no musty smells which signal mold), you’re good to go. Some great tips when cleaning up a book to sell are:

Remove any dust on the outside of the book by gently vacuuming with a brush attachment or use a magnetic dusting cloth. When doing so, be sure you turn the book upside down, to prevent dust from collecting in between pages.

Clean the edges of pages of cobwebs and other debris by wiping with a slice of fresh white bread or a soft bristled brush.

After the dust jacket has been wiped away of any actual dust, clean it with a small amount of window cleaner and a soft cloth. Be sure to spray the cloth with the cleaner, and not the book itself! For paperbacks or books without a dust jacket, use a dry cleaning pad to wipe away dirt. You can also use a dab of cleaner and wipe away dirt with your fingers. Be sure to use as little cleaner as necessary, you don’t want to damage the books in the process of cleaning them.

If you notice grease or oil marks on pages (on a cookbook, for instance), you can try to remove them using paper towels and a weight. Simply place a few paper towels over the spot, close the book, and place the weight on top. Leave it for several days in order for the towels to absorb the maximum amount of oil.

Although these are good methods for slightly dirty books, many page stains, water damage, tearing, and musty smells cannot be removed. And thus, cannot be sold to BookJingle. It is important to take good care of your books, and even recommended to clean your books using the above methods once a year to keep them in the best shape. Additionally, when storing books, always keep them in a dry place to avoid mold and humidity.

These are great tips for your everyday book, but if you’re dealing with a rare or valuable book, these cleaning methods are not recommended. Take any rare, valuable, or antique books to an expert.