Eliminating the odor of smoke from books requires careful treatment due to their delicate and porous nature. The process involves neutralizing the odor-causing particles without damaging the book’s pages, binding, or cover. An example would be placing a smoke-affected book in a sealed container with an odor-absorbing material, allowing sufficient time for the smell to be drawn out.
Salvaging smoke-damaged books preserves valuable information, cherished memories, and often irreplaceable historical artifacts. Successfully removing the smell restores a book to usability and prevents further deterioration caused by lingering smoke particles. Historically, various methods have been employed, from airing books outdoors to utilizing natural odor absorbers like charcoal or baking soda.