1 Dust books regularly to help prevent allergies such as asthma or hay fever. Dusting also reduces the risk of insect infestation and mould growth.

2 Remove dust by using the soft-brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter prevents up to 99.97 per cent of dust particles being returned to the air. Or, use the cool setting on your hair dryer to dislodge dust or wipe clean with a magnetic wiping cloth.

3 Use a small, soft paintbrush to clear dust away from the pages of a book.

4 If your home tends to be dusty, store your books behind glass doors. Check out the Bergsbo bookcase, $459, IKEA.

5 Get rid of odours in books with absorbent granules like kitty litter or baking soda. Put with the book in a zip-lock plastic bag to speed up the process.

6 Clean glossy dust jackets with a glass cleaner. Simply spray a bit of cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe over the cover.

7 Look after the dust jacket. A book with a jacket in original condition is worth more than a book without one, so cover your dust jackets in protective clear-plastic sleeves