Scoogs
03-02-2013, 10:35 AM
A few books that I purchased last Fall were not issued with dust jackets and had picked up a noticeable amount of dust and light dirt on the covers over the years.
I found that an easy way to clean them up is using a kneaded eraser. You can find them at any office/art/craft store for about $1. They look like this (http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/659771/Sanford-Design-Kneaded-Eraser-Large/?Channel=Google&mr:trackingCode=14033D1B-EC81-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=19991861996&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=38909262716&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Googlepla-_-Office_Supplies+Pens_Pencils_Markers-_-659771).
http://www.drawing-factory.com/image-files/the-eraser-04.jpg
Just knead the eraser for a minute or so to get it warmed up and soft, then press it onto the dusty area. Lift off to remove the dust. This is a good, non-abrasive way to clean the cover or cloth covered slipcase and it doesn't require any adhesives (like a link roller). If there's enough dust on the cloth, you will cleary see the clean spot.
This works best with loose dust and dirt that hasn't been ground into the cover, but kneaded erasers are soft enough that you could probably rub it on a more stubborn dirt spot to remove it. However, I would try this on a cheap book first to make sure you won't cause any damage.
I found that an easy way to clean them up is using a kneaded eraser. You can find them at any office/art/craft store for about $1. They look like this (http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/659771/Sanford-Design-Kneaded-Eraser-Large/?Channel=Google&mr:trackingCode=14033D1B-EC81-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=19991861996&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=38909262716&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Googlepla-_-Office_Supplies+Pens_Pencils_Markers-_-659771).
http://www.drawing-factory.com/image-files/the-eraser-04.jpg
Just knead the eraser for a minute or so to get it warmed up and soft, then press it onto the dusty area. Lift off to remove the dust. This is a good, non-abrasive way to clean the cover or cloth covered slipcase and it doesn't require any adhesives (like a link roller). If there's enough dust on the cloth, you will cleary see the clean spot.
This works best with loose dust and dirt that hasn't been ground into the cover, but kneaded erasers are soft enough that you could probably rub it on a more stubborn dirt spot to remove it. However, I would try this on a cheap book first to make sure you won't cause any damage.