How do feel about used children's books? - Page 2

[mi_amor]

I never really thought about cleaning my library books because I figured the germs were gone by the time I signed it out.

I love buying used books from thrift stores that are in great shape. Sometimes I'll wipe the cover with a damp cloth, maybe with a bit of soap or viegar on it, but that's just to clean it up if it's kind of smudged from little fingers. I love finding old books, and books from my childhood for DS.

[Pookietooth]

Wow I had never even thought about that, but I would be a bit squeamish about a doctor's waiting room as a source for books. But then I wouldn't think twice about letting ds read a book in a doctor's office so I don't know why I am a bit skeeved about bringing it home. Other than that, we bring home library books all the time. And buy used books. No biggie.

[DaughterOfKali]

We can't do used books unless I know that they came from a non smoking, no pet home and that it wasn't stored in a damp place (mildew/mold).

We are super sensitive.

Oh, and one time (before discovering used books were a no no for us), I got a used book and didn't realize (at first) that it had book worms. So gross.

[Down2Earth]

A few months ago while reading stuff about H1N1, I read that someone was worried about getting the flu from their mail. Even if your mailman was sick and sneezed on your mail right before he put it in your mailbox, if you isolate your mail (like in a rubbermaid container) for 48 hours you would be okay. I guess the germs can't survive that long on paper alone.

As far as books from the doctor, if you were really worried put them in a box for a couple of days before giving them back to the kids. They should be fine!

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

Oh, and one time (before discovering used books were a no no for us), I got a used book and didn't realize (at first) that it had book worms. So gross.

If you don't mind me asking - how can you tell a book has book worms?

We buy 99% of books used, and I've never seen a book worm before.

[AlwaysByMySide]

99% of our books are used too. I try to spread them out and prop them up (as in, open up the cover and have the pages spread out) and leave them in the sun for a day or two, and/or spray 'em down with Lysol.

[hteb83]

Most of my books as a kid were from the library or were used - my gran would dry them near a sunny window and then spray them with perfume so they smelled nice! I think I might prefer the smell of an old, musty book to a new one

So taking the books from the doctors wouldn't concern me but a lot of the doctors around here have removed all the toys and kids books because of "germs" but there are still the magazines for everybody else to read...