Woman explains why she immediately puts used books in the freezer

An avid reader has shocked the internet with the unusual thing she always does with used books – she puts them in the freezer.

Poster @d_uhreads has garnered over 16.1 million views on an Instagram reel that has piqued the curiosity and sometimes fear of other readers.

In the video, the woman opens her freezer to find not only the usual selection of frozen foods, but also a collection of books, all sealed in zip-lock bags. The caption reads: “After 48 hours in the freezer, it’s time to thaw out some used book babies.”

The woman revealed her reasoning behind freezing the stories: “This is a creepy-crawly home,” she said, then asked, “Do you freeze your books?”

Jason “The Germ Guy” Tetro is a microbiologist, author and host of the podcast Super cool science show. He said Newsweek: “I guess this has been a problem for over a decade, thanks to the study from Belgium that found viruses in library books. But I have never seen remediation measures taken at this level.”

The global used book market is estimated to be worth over $14.6 million in 2024, and is expected to grow 4.7 percent by 2034. From online marketplaces like Amazon to local thrift stores, buying used books can be both environmentally friendly and financially beneficial—but buyers may be getting more than they bargained for.

Heidi Phillips, cleaning and decluttering expert and owner of Tergo Specialist Cleaning Services, said Newsweek: “You can never be sure what has touched the book and what germs are on it.

“To check for bugs, shake the book over your bathtub. This will help you quickly wash away any bugs that fall out, but be sure to wash them away as soon as you see them,” Phillips said.

“Booklice are tiny and generally dark white or brownish in color. They like book glue, moisture and mold, which is why they often feel most comfortable on the pages of an old book.”

Silverfish are larger and easier to spot. Worse still, bed bugs sometimes find their way into the spines of bound books.

“The problem is not only that these bugs can chew and damage your books. Once they are in your home, they can also move into other areas like your furniture and cause further damage,” Phillips said.

The good news, however, is that she is an advocate for freezing books: “Freezing books can kill any live insects and their eggs, but don’t just put the books in the freezer,” Phillips said.

“First, make sure the book is at room temperature. Then, pack it in a plastic bag or zip lock bag sealed with gaffer tape and place it in your freezer for 48 hours. This will protect the book from damage by keeping out as much moisture as possible.”

While Tetro agreed that freezing could help prevent unwanted bugs or germs on books, he recommended a different method. He said, “High temperatures such as boiling, putting the books in the dryer, and frying kill microbes (could help remove microbes); using a freezer probably won’t do that.”

“In the lab, we typically preserve microbes at freezing temperatures. When they are dry, they typically survive for months, if not years,” Tetro added.

In thousands of comments on Instagram, people shared their reactions and dismay at the idea.

“I am years old today and I can’t figure out where the term ‘bookworm’ really comes from,” said Liyaa.lee.

Darinasidorets posted: “Wow, new fear released.”

Others shared their own experiences of spooky occurrences after purchasing secondhand items. Suzanne_81_ wrote, “You definitely have to be careful with paper items. I found bed bugs in some picture frames from Goodwill a long time ago.”