Removing foxing

A question, please?

Is there a way to remove foxing from a slipcase? Is there any chance it will become worse or travel to other books on the shelf? Will it transfer to the book itself?

Thank you for any ideas,
Frank

Foxing is a byproduct of the paper making process. It is not like mold or mildew that will spread from one book to another. It is more common with paper made in the U.K. than it is in paper from the U.S.

Moisture / humidity and warmth can bring out foxing.

Any attempt to bleach the foxing is likely to destroy the cellulose in the paper so it is probably not worthwhile.

It would be better to replace it with another copy.

James

>2 Keeline: James, Thank you for this information, unfortunately, this book is quite old and not easily, or affordably, replaceable. I haven't bought it yet,but may do so as long as the foxing will not travel.
Thank you,

It's also typical that all copies of the same printing will be equally susceptible to foxing (as they were printed on the same paper stock). Storage conditions since will affect the rate of this, but if the paper stock is prone to it, it's likely to get them all.

Which is different to the storage-based problems, like moulds, mildew and critters.

I realize you guys feel it’s hopeless but there must be something I can do. I picked up two Library of America books at Goodwill. The edges look like this but the rest of the books are fine. What can I do?
https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/40/33/4033620ea51cfc06370356f3241415...

>5 varielle: You can be pleased with the knowledge that foxing is quite harmless, and happy that the books are fine otherwise. Really. There's nothing to be done about foxing that I know.

>5 varielle:

Not much, unless you want to spend a lot of money having a conservator disbind the book and treat the pages.

You will sometimes see a recommendation to use bleach, but DON'T! It will weaken the paper.

>5 varielle: Depending on the depth of foxing and your drive to get rid of it you might want to consider sandpaper or sodium borohydride or both.

More on NaBH4: https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/bid/230209/how-to-prevent-and-reverse-foxing-in...

Sanding techniques:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48yAVLf0GyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTQRx0iv5q4

Thank you ! I felt it odd that it was only on the edges and not inside.

>9 varielle: I felt it odd that it was only on the edges and not inside.

As mentioned in >2 Keeline: ambient moisture is largely responsible for foxing. Since the exposed parts of a closed book are the covers and edges of the text block, foxing usually begins in those areas.

ETA:
To expand on the above, some of us might also have noticed foxing on endpapers - more specifically the pastedown, while the rest of the pages are inexplicably clean. My guess would be that moisture absorbed through the covers - either paper or cloth-covered boards, reaches the pastedowns first. And while the covers might dry quicker on the outside, the moisture within would take longer to dry and if left unchecked could trigger foxing.

>9 varielle: if it's foxing from mildew, it will likely begin where the spores land - in my dad's damp old house this was always the top edge. It is a frustrating problem for sure.