When you store your clothing, food and other items in storage bins to use them again you must look for any moisture locked in in. You can try some remedies to protect items in storage bins from moisture. You must take care of two important points, first is to make sure there is no moisture when you are storing items. Second is make sure to protect your storage bin from moisture, humidity and wet environment from outside.
To protect items in storage bins from moisture, you can try some DIY hacks too. For example, baking soda is best product to prevent moisture inside a storage bin. Moisture can lead to Mold, mildew, fungus and damage inside the storage bin. Let’s take a brief look on to problems and solutions that can lead to a save storage for an extended period of time.
How To Keep Items Dry In Storage
To keep your belongings save from moisture, Mold, and other damages, it is important to pack them properly. To prevent Mold damage, you should first keep your storage items safe. Keep items in storage when they are completely dry and there should be no trace of moisture or humidity.
If you are storing clothes, make sure to sun dry them one day before storing them. When you are storing food items for a long period of time, make sure they are in complete good condition for storing, freeze them till they are rock hard and store them.
Vacuum Seal Valuable Documents
When you are storing valuable items like old pictures and documents, make sure your storage bin is completely dry, pest repulsive and insolated. Pack your items very well before storing them. Make them moisture free, vacuum seal them to avoid any accidents further. There are some insects that really enjoy storage items, you know them. So, try to secure your storage with some insect repellents. Wrap all the mattress and furniture with covering bags and blankets to save them from moisture.
Use Bubble Wrap For Fragile Items
Crockery, and other fragile items need extra care in storage. You should cover them with plastic coating wrapper, bubble wrapper and then keep them in the storage bin. Never store anything that is damp or gives a feel of humidity, either it is clothing, dishes, furniture or blankets. Keep your decorations save in storage bins till next season, and store them in tangle free condition.
Try Climate Controlled Storage
Use a storage space that is climate controlled and is not more moist or humid as environment, so that not any extra moisture can seep in to your storage. You should fill every crack and fix holes where you doubt that pests, insects or any water can seep into your storage bins. Pack desiccators in your storage containers and consider air flow in the storage unit.
Drying Agents To Protect Items In Storage Bins From Moisture
Desiccant Sachet
A small sachet normally filled with silica gel, or other moisture absorbing agent is good for small storage boxes like clothing, books and documents. It can keep your storage box dry, humid free and Mold free.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is the most popular and known drying agent till now, small packets with granular form of moisture absorbent. It is reuse able and non- toxic (that means you can use it with sensitive packaging)
Soda Lime
A chemical Compound that is used in large storage units to keep the moisture away from it. It also absorbs Carbon Dioxide from the environment and keep it safe for breathing and working with in.
Calcium Sulfate with cobalt chloride
Mostly in silica gel packets, this combination is used to absorb moisture and to indicate the moisture as well. Cobalt chloride changes it’s color when it comes in contact with humidity, moisture or water. You can use it alone as moisture indicator too!
Activated charcoal
This activated carbon is highly porous form of carbon with large surface area. This special structure gives it high absorption properties. It purifies air and water too!
Diatomaceous Earth
DE is the natural sedimentary rock, you can easily crumble it into fine powder. That is further used in moisture absorption as it’s compounds have silica in it. Along with liquids and humidity, it also absorbs odor, that can be a creative element i your storage.
Bentonite Clay
It is derived from volcanic ash deposits, as it is a natural material like activated charcoal, it also has porous structure. That allows to absorb oils, toxins, and moisture from the storage.
What Storage Bins Are Better For What Items
Plastic Storage Bins
These bins have a lot of uses except storage, but if you want to specify for the storage perspective, here are some options. You can store and organize your tools in there for better access and functionality. Plastic storage bins are better option for toy storage, you can educate your kids to organize and store toys on daily basis with these. Seasonal decoration storage like Christmas decorations, halloween decorations and other cultural decorative accessories can be stored well in these without a damage.
Plastic Bins With Lids
Pet food, Craft supplies and gardening supplies are easy to store in these containers. They come in different sizes, so, you can choose according to your requirement and need. Another useful option is setting your emergency kit in plastic storage bin with lid, like first aid kit, emergency supplies, non-perishable foods, water and flashlight in there. They also protect your storage from moisture very well.
Metal Storage Bins
To protect items in storage bins from moisture, it is crucial to store them in specific storage containers. Some big storages like industrial units need extra care for their storage, I would recoomend them to use metal storage bins. They are more useful for some specific kind of storage like, garage organization, pet station and out door storage. Baking supplies from the kitchen need a metal storage box, also laundry room organization and travel & camping gear will get a great help from them.
Wooden Storage Bins
These bins add a touch of aesthitics to your storage, also keeping things away from moisture is their quality. ALthough, it will be for a very short period of time, but things will be better in proper air circulation, and climate control. Wooden storage bins are better to store shoes, toys, food, vegetables, fruits, firewood, books, carft supplies, herb planters, and picnic accessories. You can add wodden storage bins to your farm house decoration too, as a themed decoration.
Fabric Storage Bins
These bins are made from fabric, mostly from canvas, have firm shape and rarely came with lids. You can use these bins for your closte organization and storage. They keep your storage safe from humidity because of canvas. Also, you can store nursery items, kid’s storage, your hobby supplies like crochet, dorm room storage and seasonal decorations. They are light weight and easy to carry and move from one place to another.
Acrylic Storage Bins
A sleek and transparent storage solution is here in form of acrylic storage bins that is very aesthetic to store and organize your make-up supplies. Apart from them, these bins are very good protector against moisture and humidity. They mostly have air tight lids that protect your storage from pests and Mold too! You can use these bins to store Make-up supplies, jewelry items, office supplies, bathroom essentials, kitchen supplies, and tech equipments.
DIY Hacks For Moisture Prevention
There are some home available items that can prevent your storage from getting humid. These are easily available but are only best for small storage boxes, like food, clothes and other home items. To protect items in storage bins from moisture, you can use rice as a moisture absorbent. Rice can dry all the humidity in there. Salt is also a better option, you can use rock salt in the storage bins to protect it from moisture. Charcoal is good to put in decorative items storage box, and with in garage.
Use Baking Soda To Absorb Moisture
Baking soda can asorb all the odor and moisture, you can put some open boxes of baking soda in the corners of your storage unit to prevent an moisture and humidity in there. Also some people use paper towels as moisture absorbant but I would not recommend using them in your storage boxes. As they are not proved to absorb any humidity.
Consider Better Air Flow System
Instead of trying to keep humidity and Mold away from your storage unit, you should focus on keeping the air flow better in there. Better the air flow, better the environment. It is better not only for the storage box or container but for the whole storage system too! Specially if the storage unit is on industrial level or shpping container. Avoid placing your storage boxes directly on the concrete floor and up against the walls, leave some space in between.
Tips To Prevent Moisture In Storage Bins
- Use moisture absorbing agents and packets to avoid extra humidity.
- Regulate air flow is essential for large storage units.
- Go for airtight bins, with lids to protect your items from moisture, Mold and pests.
- Plastic wrappers are crucial for your storage box if you are moving them to another pace.
- Install humidity and moisture indicators in your storage, and check the humidity level on weekly basis.
- Seal the cracks that allows the moisture and insects to come in there.
- Rotation is the best option for large storage units, rotate your storage boxes every now and then.
- Cleaning and maintenance is also necessary, manage your storage unit every two month, clean it all over and maintain the falws.
Frequently Asked Questions
To prevent moisture buildup, ensure the items you’re storing are completely dry before placing them in bins. Use moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packets or desiccants. Additionally, consider using airtight containers or bags within the bins to create a barrier against moisture.
Look for storage bins made from materials like plastic, polypropylene, or polyethylene, which are known for their moisture resistance. These materials provide a barrier against moisture and help keep your items dry.
Yes, you can create your own moisture-absorbing packets using materials like rice or calcium chloride. You can use Kitchen salt for moisture absorbance from storage bins.
Elevating storage bins can help prevent moisture from seeping in, especially if you’re storing items in a basement or garage where floors may be prone to moisture. Place the bins on shelves or pallets to keep them off the ground.
It’s a good idea to periodically check stored items for signs of moisture, especially if they’re stored for an extended period. Install moisture indicators in your storage to keep a check on moisture level on regular basis.
Yes, products like baking soda can help absorb excess moisture and prevent odors inside storage bins. Simply place an open container of baking soda inside the bin, and replace it periodically as needed.
For delicate items like clothing, documents, or electronics, consider using additional layers of protection such as plastic wrap, vacuum-sealed bags, or moisture-resistant sleeves before placing them in storage bins. This extra protection can help safeguard these items from moisture damage.
