This is a tragedy. The book I am currently reading, The Count of Monte Cristo, was involved in a most horrific accident this morning. I had to drive my hubby’s car to work today so BIL could take mine to get some kind of recall thing fixed on it. For some reason, the hubby had some cologne in his car. And some of it got on my book!!!
ARGH! Help!
I can’t stand the smell of most perfumes and colognes (they give me migranes) and now I can’t stand to touch my book! It makes me cough too!
Any tips for getting smells out of books??? I will love you forever!
I can only tell you what I do with every stinky thing I run across (I suffer from migranes as well, and am sensitive to smells). Put it outside for the day. Let it air out. Even the trunk of your car would do. Make sure it lays open to the offending pages. I really hope that will help. Good luck.
You might also try putting it in the freezer for 24 hours or so. I used to work in a museum and conservators would often do this with fiber-based items. It was mostly to kill vermin, but it might be worth a try for odors too.
I have forwarded this post on to my library friends.
The horror! I can't stand most perfumes either. I say go find another copy and get as far away from this one as you can. Your book shouldn't be harmful to your health
I'm with Iliana. After such a hard day, don't you deserve some time at the bookstore?
Ooh, I remember something from the Yahoo groups from several years ago where you put it in a baggie with a cotton ball with alcohol on it or something. You might post the question to one of the groups since I'm half-ass remembering.
Oh, and Jenn needs your addy for the bookmark exchange if you haven't already sent it.
I'm with Iliana too. I'm a librarian and if a student returned their copy dowsed with cologne, I'd probably ask them to replace the library copy and call it damaged beyond hope!
After all, how much *does* a copy of TCOMC cost these days?
We have never tried to get a cologne smell out of a book, but we have had luck getting smoke smell and musty basement smells out. It involves placing a layer of baking soda in a plastic container, place brown paper bag paper over the soda, place the book on top of the paper and seal the container. Unfortunately, it should be sealed for several days (or a week or two). You could read a library copy of the book while you are trying to cure your book of the smell.
)
We discard smellies, but I have been told the freezer trick works.
My vote is to make a mad dash to the closest bookstore and buy a new copy! How in the world did the cologne get on your book??
I agree with the baking soda solution, I was going to suggest it myself.
I have no suggestion– I just wanted to say how impressed I am with your ability to find a cute photo to match your dilemma!
I like the photo, too! What part were you on? I love this book! Maybe you could check out a library copy until the smell dissipates? I don't know if I could handle a smelly book either. Sorry to hear about your dilemma!
Oh dear, that IS a tragedy! I'd also probably go out and get a new copy, plus just being in a bookstore tends to make me feel better!
I like the freezer idea, but then again the buying of a new copy appeals too
Oh no! How will Sinbad the Sailor use his cunning wit to break free of the odor and exact his revenge upon the offending cologne?! (da-da-dummmm)
Wow, what good suggestions. I don't have one myself but this just reminds of a ski trip in high school. We were going from NJ to NH (a good amount of hours)and a boy's cologne bottle broke in his duffel bag. The whole bus was unbearable the rest of the way. I remember my friend and I saying it was making our joints ache.
I say try the baking soda idea and if it doesn't get all the smell out it will get most of it. Then everytime you open the book you'll get a slight wiff of hubby cologne and it will remind you of him without making you get a headache. (I also am impressed you found that picture!)