tofuscramble Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 We just went to the library where we picked up fifty or so used books for free! They are mostly kids reading books, but we got some science books and psychology books. Some of them are pretty old. Are they unhygienic? Is there something I can spray them with or something? Or am I just being paranoid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 (edited) I vote paranoid! Give them a wipe over if they are dusty and call it good. While I quite agree that hygiene should be taken into consideration, it's easier to eat and sleep to keep our immune systems strong than it is to kill every germ around. Congrats on your find though. 50 free books! :hurray: Rosie Edited August 1, 2010 by Rosie_0801 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I'm probably the wrong person to ask :lol: but here's my thoughts on it. I started cleaning our library books (wiping covers down with really mild bleach/water solution) after friends of mine had H1N1 last year and went to the library to get books/movies for their kids to read while they were all sick. Then, two weeks later, another friend's kids had a stomach virus and same thing, she was off to the library to get them books to read since they could do little else between tossing cookies. :ack2: Of course, this same friend was also a hs'er and doing the same science topic that I was doing and I needed to get some of those same titles out. :tongue_smilie: I've never really looked at library books the same way since then.:001_huh: :lol: Besides, when I wipe them down, at the end, my water is a disgusting shade of black that makes me pretty darn glad I did. :tongue_smilie: I dunno if they are unhygienic but *I* feel better taking the time to wipe them down. I can't honestly say that I've seen a direct correlation to library books being in the house and my kids being sick, but like I said, I was pretty turned off last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I have cleaned some books, especially if they have those durable covers that can handle water. I have also used clorox wipes. And I have sprayed mine down with lysol too. But not always, just when I have time or think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 We just went to the library where we picked up fifty or so used books for free! They are mostly kids reading books, but we got some science books and psychology books. Some of them are pretty old. Are they unhygienic? Is there something I can spray them with or something? Or am I just being paranoid? There are few germs that last on objects for any length of time. If there are a few on the books, that would also be true for any other surface they might touch. Your kids' immune systems need to be stimulated by exposure to germs. The bigger concern for books would be mold if anyone in your family is allergic to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I am probably not the person to answer this, since I let my baby eat off a bare table at a restaurant (wiped off with a baby wipe) and have decided that she'd eventually stop eating sand/dirt when she found out it didn't taste good, but I vote paranoid :) I believe in strengthening the immune system by exposure to germs, and anyway, I can't imagine they'd live too long on books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris's girl Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I'm with Rosie. I have an immune system of steel and have never used Lysol, antibacterial soaps or bleach. I really believe in letting kids play in the dirt and that their immune systems need to be tested. I think some of the allergies that seem to be so prevalent today can be attributed to so much sterilization of surfaces these days (good germs are killed as well and bad germs learn ways around our cleaners and medicines, which is why we don't want to "kill" germs, only wash them away for the most part). I also think that many times it takes an unhealthy host to accept a germ enough to make them sick. Not all the time, of course! Anyway, we've never washed down a book and my kids are rarely sick. We do keep a clean home, but use water and a sponge. If I thought a book needed it, that's all I'd use. But I also agree with the pp that said many germs do not live that long on surfaces, since a lot of them need a warm host. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I vote paranoid! Give them a wipe over if they are dusty and call it good. While I quite agree that hygiene should be taken into consideration, it's easier to eat and sleep to keep our immune systems strong than it is to kill every germ around. Congrats on your find though. 50 free books! :hurray: Rosie :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpnick in nc Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I am probably not the person to answer this, since I let my baby eat off a bare table at a restaurant (wiped off with a baby wipe) and have decided that she'd eventually stop eating sand/dirt when she found out it didn't taste good, but I vote paranoid :) I believe in strengthening the immune system by exposure to germs, and anyway, I can't imagine they'd live too long on books. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tofuscramble Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Haha, ok I guess I'm being paranoid, thanks everyone! Now to go enjoy the books, I couldn't believe what people were putting down! DH just about had to drag me away from the place, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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