Who says dirty hands only spread disease? For book lovers, unwashed hands are secretly one of the biggest threats to your books.

        On Global Handwashing Day, washing and thoroughly drying your hands before reading remains the simplest, most effective way to protect your collection. Natural skin oils and sweat react with air over time to leave yellowing stains on pages, while grime and food bits feed mold, bacteria, and paper-eating pests.

        Even clean hands need to be fully dried, as lingering moisture causes paper to warp and buckle.

Written, translated, and illustrated by: Ratchanok T.