I love buying secondhand books, so I rarely pass up the book section at a thrift store, used bookstore, library sale, or little free library. There’s something special about finding an old hardcover or paperback with handwritten notes tucked between the pages.
That’s why I was surprised when I first heard that some people put their thrifted books in the freezer before bringing them inside. My first reaction was that it sounded a little strange. Books belong on shelves, not beside frozen vegetables.
After seeing more readers and collectors discuss the habit online, particularly on BookTok, I started to see why they do it. Used books have often spent years in storage, garages, basements, or other places where dust, moisture, odors, and small pests can become a problem.
Sometimes the only signs of a book’s past are yellowed pages or a handwritten note from a previous owner. Other times, there may be tiny insects hiding between the pages or inside the binding, which is why some secondhand shoppers take precautions before adding new finds to their shelves.
Why People Are Freezing Thrifted Books
Books contain materials such as paper, glue, cardboard, cloth, and sometimes leather. If they’ve been stored in basements, garages, outdoor free libraries, or damp areas, they may attract pests such as booklice, silverfish, and even bedbugs.
These insects aren’t always easy to spot during a quick look through a book at a thrift store. Freezing is one method some readers use to reduce the chance of bringing unwanted pests home with their new purchases.
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How TikTok Put This on Everyone’s Radar
Many readers say they first heard about freezing secondhand books through TikTok and BookTok creators who share their thrift store finds. Videos showing books sealed in plastic bags and placed in freezers have led to plenty of questions, jokes, and discussions among readers.
Some people also shared stories about skipping this step and later regretting it. For those readers, freezing a new thrifted book has become a regular habit, much like washing thrifted clothes before wearing them.
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How the Freezer Method Works
The method often shared online involves sealing books in plastic bags, leaving them in the freezer for around 48 hours, and allowing them to thaw slowly while still sealed. Freezing can kill some insects and their larvae, though results depend on the pest, temperature, and length of time.
The idea is to reduce the chance of pests spreading to other books, shelves, or furniture. It doesn’t clean the book, remove odors, or repair any existing damage.
Related: Still Holding On to Books You’ll Never Read? Here’s How to Let Them Go
When Freezing Isn’t a Good Idea
Not every book is a good candidate for the freezer. Rare editions, fragile antiques, and books with delicate bindings may be damaged by temperature changes or condensation, so professional advice is a safer choice for valuable copies.
Freezing also doesn’t solve mold problems. Cold temperatures may slow mold activity, but they won’t remove mold or make a contaminated book safe to handle, and mold requires careful cleaning and proper storage.
Related: 6 Popular Books That Thrift Stores Wish More People Would Donate
Why People Keep Doing It Anyway
For people who enjoy collecting secondhand books, the freezer habit is a precaution rather than a reason to avoid used books. A little extra care can help readers feel more comfortable bringing home books from thrift stores, sidewalk libraries, and library sales.
There’s still plenty to love about finding a book someone else has enjoyed and giving it another home. Just remember that a quick inspection and proper storage matter, too, especially if a book looks damp, has a musty smell, or shows signs of insects.
