User blog:KoffeeOwl/Manga Care

Removing Stains, Dirt, and discoloration
One of the most frustrating things I have come across in my short time dealing with soft paperbacks (manga for the most part) is that if the cover is white, grey, or any light color, discoloration is bound to happen. One way to avoid this is to purchase book slips, or any plastic slipcover really. However, if you did not think of this in time, or simply cannot afford to buy these things, then there is a relatively easy way to fade any tint that appears on the covers of your paperbacks. The first, and most effective (and least damaging way) to clean a paperback (manga specifically, as their covers, tend to be soft and more malleable than other paperbacks) is to take any type of eraser and gently begin erasing over the cover. This method of stain removal does not fade the cover design, and I use it every now and then to make sure that my books are in the best condition possible.

The second way you can remove discoloration is to take isopropyl alcohol (the type you use to clean wounds) and dip a Q-tip into a cap filled with the liquid. Considering alcohol dries fast, once it touches the cover it will remove stains without warping the cover; this is also the best method for paper as using erasers on paper will fade the print. I would, of course, advise that you DO NOT press harshly onto the cover with the wet Q-tip, because this can cause dents in the cover. As another side note: I usually store my manga in stacks, because if they are upright, the bottoms are likely to receive dips in the paper over time.