How to Dry a Wet Book
Wipe or fling any excess water from the book. Hold the book closed and gently shake it to remove any external liquid. If necessary, gently wipe the outside of the cover with a rag or paper towel.
Check on your book’s progress every hour or so, placing paper towels between the pages every 20-30 pages. If you’re using a sponge, ring it out and return it to its place under the paper to dry.
To speed up the drying process, use a fan or create a draft by opening a few windows. The paper used for most books’ pages is somewhat fragile and can easily warp and deform as it dries, leaving the book with a “ruffled” appearance. Lay your dry book flat and place a heavy weight on top of it and allow it to sit for several days to reduce the “crumpled” effect that drying can cause.
Allow the book to dry in this position. Some minor instances of pages sticking together (especially in the corners) may be unavoidable. Freezing books won’t do much to dry them, but it will prevent damage. Using paper towels to absorb moisture from wet books encourages mold growth.
What to do if paper got wet?
If you have a book or binder full of wet paper, place a paper towel between every ten or so pages to absorb the moisture, then place the papers in front of a gentle fan to dry. If you have a stack of wet papers and don’t have time to deal with them right away, seal them in a plastic bag and freeze them.
How do I unstick a wet book page?
Hold your book over a boiling pot of water, and the steam will go to where the pages are stuck, separating the less stuck pages. Gently separate the pages if possible.
How long does wet paper take to dry?
How long does it take to dry paper if I’m painting with water colors? Place the papers in a rack with a large surface area, wait five hours, and then check the papers.
How do you dry a wet check?
How to Dry Wet Documents and Artwork Safely
- Step 1: Freezing. Wrap objects in paper, wax paper, parchment paper in bundles, in zip-lock bags with paper toweling, or interleave if time allows
- then place in freezer.
Can water damaged books be saved?
Cover a flat surface with strong, white plain absorbent paper towels or another absorbent type of non-print paper to salvage books with glossy or coated paper after they’ve been water damaged. This is best done by a restoration professional.
How do you unstick two pieces of paper?
To break down the glue, use a cotton swab and a solvent or acetone to dab at the glue carefully. If the paper structure attached to the glue becomes too damp, allow to dry before trying again.
How do you fix water damaged books?
How to Save a Wet Book from Soaking
- If the book is soaking wet, don’t give up hope.
- Wipe down the cover.
- Lay down a dry washcloth or paper towel sheets.
- Place the book upright to dry.
- Place paper towel sheets or rags between the pages.
How do you dry a wet book quickly?
When a book is damp, stand it on its edge, fan it open a little, and then turn on a nearby fan; when the book is nearly dry, close it and place a light weight on top of it until it dries.
Can I microwave a wet book?
DO NOT DRY A WET BOOK IN AN OVEN OR MICROWAVE. Heat will over-dry and warp the book, as well as melt the adhesives used in the binding. Microwaves cook the book rather than dry it, and can also melt adhesives or singe paper.
Does wet paper burn?
Wet paper contains water, which prevents it from reaching a temperature high enough to overcome the activation energy required for the paper to react with oxygen, which is the only way for it to catch fire.
Can you iron paper that got wet?
Wetting it slightly with distilled water, pressing it between heavy books, or ironing it under a towel will usually make it look presentable and usable; however, these methods risk tearing and color fading, so use caution. You may want to take important pieces of paper to a professional archivist for preservation.
How do you dry out wet photos?
Spread the photos face up on an absorbent material (like paper towels or cloth) to dry, and use fans to keep the air moving around the photos at all times to speed up the drying process and reduce the risk of mold. Photos may curl during drying, but don’t worry.