Paper is an important carrier of human historical and cultural information, and the proper preservation of paper cultural relics is part of the continuation of civilizations. Paper products can be damaged due to natural aging and fungi-based microorganisms during their use and storage. Disinfection of paper is an important step in the conservation process. This paper summarizes the hazards of microorganisms to paper products and the common chemical and physical disinfection methods, focuses on the disinfection effects of ionizing radiation on paper products, and analyzes the influences of radiation on the mechanical properties, color and degree of polymerization of paper.