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What is the best way to clean my DODOcase in the event that it becomes dirty?

The best way to keep your DODOcase clean is to treat it with care and lots of love, but in the event that it does become dirty with stains or smudges, there are a few techniques that may help you to clean it. However, we here at DODOcase use many different bookcloths, which all require different cleaning methods.  Unfortunately, not all smudges or stains can be removed --- try to think of them as added character.  And always remember: The DODOcase is not waterproof. 

 

 Please note: We can’t guarantee any of these cleaning methods when used by an unsupervised non-bookbinder.  Clean at your own risk!

 

1. Black Morocco - Classic DODOcase/HARDcover

Our standard Classic cases are made with black Morocco cloth on the outside and coated bookcloth on the inside.  Black Morocco is our most versatile, durable, and cleanable material.  Most smudges can be removed from the Black Morocco cloth using an art gum or rubber cement eraser.  If the eraser fails, try a damp (not wet) cloth.  Pro tip: when we say “damp,” think slightly humid.  Water can severely warp the bookboard beneath the fabric.

If the interior of a Classic case becomes dirty, clean it with an eraser.  Avoid getting even a small amount of water on the joint between the colored liner and the Black Morocco cloth.

 2. Solid Cases: Granite, Ocean, Cardinal, Sand, Meadow, Tahoe, Fog

Our Solid cases (which are all lined with a neutral khaki coated bookcloth), can be gently cleaned with an eraser, but too-vigorous rubbing can sometimes remove pigment from the cover.  Use caution when cleaning these cases.  If your eraser-cleaning fails, you may try a damp (not wet) cloth.

3. Two-Tone Cases: Spring/Summer 2012 and Fall/Winter 2012

Watch out folks!  No amount of moisture should be used on uncoated bookcloth, ever.  All of the two-tone cases employ uncoated cloth: Spring/Summer 2012 (Granite/Poppy, Tahoe/Sunrise, Meadow/Lake, and Sand/Earth) have uncoated cloth on the spines and liners, and Fall/Winter 2012 (The Albert, The Emily, and the Pablo) have uncoated cloth on the exterior panels.  They also have screenprinted patterns.  Our inks are water-based (eco-friendly and non-toxic!), and are therefore no match for moisture.

Uncoated bookcloth lacks the protective acrylic coating of coated bookcloth, and also tends to be backed with paper, which makes it stronger at points of motion (such as the spine).  However, when exposed to moisture, the cloth can separate from its paper backing, causing bubbling and fraying.  Please protect your two-tone case from water. 

These cases can be cleaned by gentle rubbing with an art gum eraser. 

4. Build-a-DODO/Custom cases:

Our customizer features a panoply of different bookcloths, including all of the abovementioned types.  Coated, uncoated, paper-backed, bonded leather, printed… you name it.  Here is a quick breakdown of the major fabric types:

  • Patterned cloths: can be cleaned with an eraser.  Please protect your patterned case from moisture at all times!  The ink is water-based (eco-friendly and non-toxic!), and therefore reacts to moisture.
  • Black Morocco and bonded leather: can be cleaned with an eraser and/or a damp (not wet!) cloth. 
  • Solid-colored coated bookcloths (all Solid colors except “Natural”): can be cleaned with an eraser and/or a damp (not wet!) cloth, but beware of over-vigorous cleaning: the pigment in the cloth may wear away.
  • Uncoated bookcloth (“Natural”): Can be cleaned by gentle rubbing with an eraser.  Do not clean with a damp cloth!  Protect this cloth from moisture at all times.

 

1 Comments

  • Avatar
    Dorothy J

    How do you clean the elastic?

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