How to Keep Your Storage Unit Free of Mold and Mildew
If you live in Southeast Texas, you already know that high humidity is a year-round battle. When it comes to putting your personal belongings away for a few months or even years, that humidity can quickly become your worst enemy. Nothing is more devastating than opening up a box of cherished family memories or unzipping a mattress cover only to find a fuzzy, foul-smelling layer of mold ruining your items.
At Storage Solutions Plus in Houston TX 77070 near the FM1960 and Jones Rd area, we understand the challenges of the Gulf Coast climate. Keeping your belongings safe from moisture requires a proactive approach. Fortunately, preventing fungal growth is incredibly easy if you follow a few essential packing and storing guidelines.
1. Never Store Anything Damp
This is the golden rule of storage. Even the tiniest amount of moisture can act as an incubator for mold, eventually spreading from a single item to the rest of your boxes.
- Thoroughly dry everything: Ensure that washed clothes, curtains, and linens are 100% dry out of the dryer before packing.
- Wipe down appliances: Defrost refrigerators and freezers completely. Wipe down the interiors with baking soda and water, and leave the doors slightly propped open during storage.
- Check outdoor equipment: Tents, pool gear, and camping supplies should be completely aired out in the sun before being rolled up.
2. Ditch the Plastic Bags
It can be tempting to throw clothes and soft goods into large plastic garbage bags for a quick move. However, plastic traps condensation. When temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, the moisture inside those sealed plastic bags has nowhere to go, creating the perfect greenhouse for mildew.
Instead, use breathable cotton bags, standard cardboard boxes, or sturdy plastic storage bins. If you do use plastic bins, it is highly recommended to toss a small desiccant packet inside before snapping the lid shut.
3. Use Moisture Absorbers Inside Your Unit
You don't have to rely entirely on the facility's environment to control humidity; you can take matters into your own hands by placing moisture-absorbing products directly inside your space.
- Desiccants: Products like DampRid pull ambient moisture straight out of the air. Simply place a few buckets in the corners of your unit. Just remember to check and replace them every few months!
- Charcoal briquettes: A budget-friendly alternative is placing a bucket of standard, untreated charcoal briquettes (without lighter fluid) in the unit to naturally absorb moisture and odors.
- Baking soda: A few open boxes of baking soda can help keep the air smelling fresh and mitigate mild humidity.
4. Ensure Proper Airflow
Mold thrives in dark, stagnant air. The way you pack your storage unit plays a massive role in whether or not your items stay pristine.
Never pack your boxes or furniture directly against the walls of the unit. Leave at least a one-to-two-inch gap around the perimeter to allow air to circulate freely. Additionally, try to keep your items elevated off the ground. Using wooden pallets or wire shelving prevents moisture from seeping up through the concrete floor and ensures air can flow under your boxes.
5. Invest in Climate-Controlled Storage
If you are storing items that are highly susceptible to mold—such as leather furniture, antique wood, electronics, artwork, or important paper documents—the absolute best preventative measure is renting a climate-controlled unit.
Climate-controlled units maintain a consistent temperature and actively regulate indoor humidity levels, taking the guesswork out of the equation. By prioritizing a stabilized environment, you ensure your most valuable possessions remain exactly as you left them.
Don't let Houston's humidity ruin your hard-earned belongings. By packing smartly and controlling the moisture in your space, you can easily keep mold and mildew at bay. Ready to secure a clean, reliable space for your items? Contact Storage Solutions Plus today to find the perfect unit for your needs!