Don’t open the book yet. If it’s dripping wet, its pages will likely be so delicate that they’ll easily tear. At this point, just concentrate on removing moisture that’s on the outside of the book.
If you live in a dry climate, this spot can be outside. However, regardless of where you live, you won’t want to leave your book out overnight, as the dew that forms in the morning can easily undo any progress you’ve made. If you don’t have any plain white paper towels handy, dry rags can work well. Don’t use dyed paper towels, as these can bleed color when wet.
Don’t disturb the pages when you do this. The text block should basically remain in one large “mass”. Fanning the pages at this point can lead to crumpled or deformed pages when the book dries.
If you want to, you can put one or more dried sponges underneath the paper towels the book is resting on to aid in the absorption process.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your book. Mold can begin to grow on wet paper within 24 to 48 hours if the moisture is allowed to stagnate. [2] X Research source Continue in this fashion until the book no longer drips or leaves puddles when you pick it up. Next, you’ll want to proceed to “Drying Somewhat Wet Books” below.
Be careful with the number of paper towels you place in the book this way — if you place too many, it’s possible to cause the spine of the book to bend backwards, which can deform the book if allowed to dry like this. You may need to space your paper towels more widely if this becomes a problem.
To speed the process up, ensure that your book is in a location where dry air is able to circulate continuously. If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier can be a big help here. Otherwise, turning on a fan or opening a few windows will usually suffice.
Each time you replace the paper towels, flip the book over. This helps prevent the pages from deforming and “ruffling up” as they dry.
Eventually, your book will dry to a point that your paper towels no longer become saturated — merely damp. At this point, you’ll want to proceed to “Drying Slightly Damp Books” below.
If you use a fan or a natural breeze, look at the edges of the book’s pages closely. The movement of the air shouldn’t cause the pages to flutter or flap in the wind, as this can lead the pages to become ruffled and “puffed up” when they dry. Be patient here. It can take days or even a week or more for the book to dry completely. Check on your book frequently to get a sense of how quickly you’re making progress.
To avoid deforming your book, make sure that its edges are perfectly square as it lays under the weight. Don’t let the weight sit on top of it in a way that bends the book or forces the edges of its pages to lay at a diagonal angle.
As noted above, if you’re hanging your paperback outside (for instance, if you’re using an existing clothing line), don’t let it stay out overnight. Dew that forms in the morning can dampen the book. Don’t hang paperbacks that are very wet. Since moisture makes paper more fragile, the fishing line or wire can tear the book under its own weight if it’s too wet.
It’s important to put a separating sheet between every wet page. If two wet pages are allowed to touch as they dry, they can become stuck together in such a way that even professionals can’t repair them. If you don’t have waxed paper handy, plain white paper towels will work so long as they are replaced frequently.
As above, you’ll want to ensure that the air around the book is circulating if you can by using a fan or opening a window to create a draft. As also noted above, dehumidifiers can be helpful, especially if the air is humid.
As above, if you’re using a fan, you won’t want the book’s pages to flutter in the moving air, as this can lead to a crumpled or ruffled appearance once the book dries.
Don’t forget to put the book in a freezer bag before putting it in the freezer. Doing this prevents the book from sticking to the inside of the freezer or other objects.
Don’t let a thawing book sit in its bag past the point that it thaws. Leaving your book in a damp, confined space encourages mold growth.
