So despite the rain, I took my chance and with only a small umbrella for protection, I defied all odds, walk under the rain. It was raining like crazy and I am really wet, dripping wet and soaking wet.



I unloaded everything the moment I arrived in our house. Folded my umbrella, took a shower and wore clean and dry clothes before eating dinner. Right before I sat down the dinner table, I remembered my things that are also all wet. I immediately opened my bag and locate first my notebook and my address book. They are safe. However, a paper caught my attention, it was already a bit brittle but still damp and I could see its corners crumbling.

And voila, it's my FBI clearance! I will need that anytime next week since as I will be opening my bank account. I don't have time to go back at that tedious process to get one again so I have no choice but to do document drying myself.

Good thing, my mother being a DIY person, keeps a tiny booklet with instructions on document drying. I read it and understand each instruction on document drying by heart.

For starters the manual on document drying gives some basic concepts on document drying. It is important to take into consideration like the temperature, climactic conditions, and the nature of contamination.

If you will not consider those in document drying there are more chances that molds will develop and it could even more ruin your document.

This time, when dealing with document drying, air drying or dehumidification is not that recommended. Experts would suggest freezing for document drying.

To dry your document using the freezer, I have to seal first the document in a zip-lock bag and place it in the freezer. The freezer would stop for good the deterioration of the paper.

It is highly recommended to use frost-free freezer in document drying, since the fan will be able to accelerate the drying process. After sometime, the document can be defrosted, separated and air-dried if you have the time to do so.

Since I am only salvaging a piece of paper, I could do away with other recommended techniques like air drying, using absorbent materials and pressure. It was quite a breeze.

Document drying is not the end of it. After drying the paper, it still tends to emit a residual musty odor and we could eliminate this by allowing increased air circulation in the room. Or you can place the dry paper in a box with an open box of baking soda to absorb the odor. Make sure there is no physical contact between the baking soda and the paper. Supervise the process daily to prevent the growth of mold.