How to clean books that have been wrapped with protection films

Book protection films have many advantages: In addition to protecting against damage, the book's covers are easy to clean and resistant to a wide range of cleaning agents and solvents.  The easy-to-clean and resistant to a wide range of cleaning agents and solvents.  The easy-to-clean covers are a big advantage for libraries and any other location where books are handled by many people.  Nevertheless, there are a few points you should consider when cleaning your wrapped books.

Cleaning book protection films

In order to prevent dust particles, small grains of sand or other particles from damaging the surface, damp cleaning is recommended for book protection films.  A special cleaner for films is not necessary and conventional cleaning agents can be used.  A mixture of warm water and detergent is very effective.  However, very aggressive or abrasive cleaning agents are not suitable.

Disinfecting book protection films

How the book protection film can also be disinfected and not just cleaned, depends on the film.

To select the right kind of disinfectant, take into consideration which types of microorganisms are to be killed.  Additionally, it is important to keep the agent's effect on the material in mind.   Not every surface is compatible with all types of disinfectants.  Under certain circumstances, some book protection films can be damaged by the use of certain chemical compositions.

To clean book protection films thoroughly, it is wise to disinfect them with a liquid agent.  Disinfection with gases (such as ethylene oxide) and radiation (beta or gamma rays) is not possible with book protection films.

Liquid disinfectants are based on

• Ethanol
• Isopropanol
• Glycerine
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Distilled Water

However, these components can have a negative effect on plastic, depending on their concentration, exposure time and temperature.  Additionally, the reaction depends on the plastic material itself because every type of surface reacts differently to these chemicals.

Disinfecting PVC-based book protection films

Book protection films made of PVC are sensitive to ethanol and isopropanol. The result: The film becomes brittle if it repeatedly comes into contact with these substances. The two named chemicals dissolve the plasticisers and the alcohol penetrates the film, causing it to swell up. Afterwards, the film will feel sticky. However, Glycerine, hydrogen peroxide and distilled water do not harm PVC films and are therefore a better choice for disinfection.

Disinfecting PP-based book protection films

When it comes to disinfecting PP-based films, it is important to know that hydrogen peroxide can damage the surface more easily due to its oxidation effect.The other components (ethanol, isopropanol, glycerine and distilled water) do not harm the material and are a good choice.

Note: Both, PP and PVC book protection films should be cleaned or disinfected carefully, otherwise the surface will get scratches from the cleaning motion, resulting in the film’s transparency to be lost.