Dormant mold is dry and powdery in appearence. It may also have a musty smell. It can be removed using a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush or a brush attachment. Clean brushes and dispose of vacuum bag to prevent spreading the mold spores. Use a dry, clean rag or brush to remove mold from books and papers.
Damp books are more susceptible to mold than wet volumes.
Mold will start on covers and work inward on a book. Many molds prefer the starch in cloth-coverings on books. Mold is often noted on the bindings long before it grows on the textblocks. In warm and humid conditions, mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after the materials have gotten wet. The spores of fungi that become mold or mildew are always present in the air and on objects.