You Should Be Cleaning Your Books—Here’s Why It Matters (and How to Do It)

Caring for your personal library at home shouldn't fall to the bottom of your cleaning list. Just as you dust other surfaces during your routine, remember to wipe down your books. Proper storage also plays a key role, and it can make your overall cleaning routine easier.

Since books are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning, we spoke with experts to explain why they deserve your attention. Ahead, they share why it matters to clean your books, along with a simple method for doing it gently.

Why You Should Clean Your Books

Like many things, books require regular cleaning and care to protect their appearance and longevity. Many people store books on open shelves, where they collect dust, moisture, and other household pollutants that can stain pages, fade covers, and weaken bindings over time. "Accumulated dust can also serve as food for insect pests and mold growth that can damage your books and other items in your home," says Rebecca Fifield, associate director, collection management at The New York Public Library.

Proper maintenance—such as keeping books upright, out of direct sunlight, and away from damp areas like basements or attics—helps preserve them and keep them in good condition, adds Joshua Mann, co-owner of B&B Rare Books. This care is especially important for valuable books, as light exposure, improper handling, and environmental conditions can cause irreparable wear.

Environmental Factors That Affect the Lifespan of Books

Tribone shares the key factors that affect a book's lifespan and explains how to properly store them.

Dust

Storing books in areas where they're exposed to dust—or not cleaning them often enough—can damage the text blocks over time, which makes it hard to read and enjoy. "It can also feed pests and mold, inviting these biological agents to further damage the volume," Fifield says. "One option to avoid dust on books altogether is storing books in cabinets, though that is a design or space choice not everyone has."

Water, Mold, and Pests

As mentioned earlier, storing books in a basement is not recommended. Basements can encourage mold growth, which may stain books over time. If your books have already been affected, the staining will likely remain—even after treatment—and mold may return, Fifield warns.

"Try to keep books away from sources of moisture or overhead pipes or HVAC in your home," she adds. "Also, a source of water near your books can encourage more pest activity in that area, especially for common pests that are attracted to books, such as silverfish and psocids (also known as book lice)."

Low Humidity

Just as the basement is not ideal for storing books, the attic isn't either. High temperatures and low humidity can cause books to become brittle over time. "When the humidity drops, hygroscopic (materials in books that absorb and desorb moisture in the environment) materials contract, which may cause books to warp or distend," Fifield says. Storing books in a location with 35 percent humidity is key.

Light Exposure

Store books away from prolonged exposure to light to help prevent damage. According to Fifield, light can cause books to fade and become more brittle over time. Whether the light is artificial or natural, if it's directed at your bookcase, the spines will fade faster than the covers, she adds.

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How to Safely Clean Books

The safest way to clean books at home is to gently dust them by hand with a soft cloth or use compressed air to remove debris, says Mann. "The foremost, best way to clean your books is to focus on dust removal," Fifield adds. But don't use microfiber towels; they can easily snag on pages and corners, damaging the book. Routinely cleaning and properly storing your books helps prevent stains and damage that can be difficult to repair.