Effective Strategies for Managing Mold in Self Storage
Mold is a scourge. We all know it is destructive, costly, and most of all, disgusting. How can you effectively control mold?
The most important part of mold control is moisture control. This is why super dry areas like Colorado and Arizona have fewer struggles with mold while the Southeast and even major swaths of the Midwest and Great Plains do not. Relative humidity plays a big factor in mold propagation. Here are a few of the ways we suggest to remediate mold problems in self-storage.
Is Mold Common in Storage Units?
The presence of mold in storage units is not common, but often occurs. If you do an easy internet search then you will notice that returning to a storage room only to find belongings covered with mold is an unpleasant experience for everyone. And let me tell you what: Northern Oklahoma and Southern Kansas are no strangers to humidity. Even though we aren’t anywhere all that close to palm trees and citrus orchards, our climate here is humid subtropical and if you’ve spent any time hanging out around here in the summer, you are well aware of the humidity here.
“It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity” comes to mind.
Mold can happen anywhere in this part of the country when things get sultry and muggy. If your items are not in a climate controlled storage unit, you’ll want to make sure that you visit the storage unit regularly to check on any items that are sensitive to humidity and moisture.
Make sure items are completely dry before storing
The first thing you need to do is take an assessment of what you have in storage. Are there things that are particularly sensitive to moisture and mold? How do you have them packed if you do?
While it does get pretty sticky here in Northern Oklahoma (okay, that’s an understatement), it is usually not so oppressive that beads of condensation well up on items in storage. If you put items away in there that are dry to begin with and are in storage solutions that help keep things dry (tubs, airtight bags, etc.), they won’t get wet in storage.
Clean Before Storing
Mold can be effectively combated by keeping stuff clean, and again, keeping it really dry. If you master the issue of moisture, you will mostly master mold. First off, for anything that is susceptible to mold, make sure you take it out of packaging that can easily host mold. Don’t pack it in cardboard with paper packing. Instead, opt for plastic containers.
Take out everything and put it in a storage container. All the surfaces are cleaned with proper disinfecting chemicals. Home cleaning products work, but commercial antimicrobial spraying can help protect against mold.
Again, make sure to use common sense. Go check on your belongings often, and most of this only applies if you are using storage that is not climate controlled. A climate controlled unit should eliminate most issues that grow mold spores, and there are some circumstances where you should consider climate controlled storage units, namely if you have a lot of items that are sensitive to extreme temperature swings and high humidity, both of which occur in these parts.
Understanding Mold Growth in Storage Units
Mold spores can rapidly multiply in storage units, causing significant damage to stored items and posing health risks. Excess moisture is the primary culprit for mold growth in these environments. Understanding the conditions that foster mold growth is crucial for preventing it.
Regularly inspecting storage units for signs of mold growth can help prevent infestations. Mold growth can be effectively prevented by controlling humidity levels and ensuring good ventilation in storage units.
Also, if you have items in storage containers like plastic tubs, you can inhibit mold growth by using desiccants such as silica or montmorillonite clay. Montmorillonite clay is naturally occurring so it might be more preferable to those wanting a natural solution.
Choosing the Right Storage Space
When selecting a storage space, opt for a climate-controlled storage unit to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels. It’s essential to consider the storage facility’s humidity levels and ensure they are suitable for your stored items. Look for a storage facility with a good reputation and a secure, pest-free environment. Before storing your items, check the storage unit’s condition and ensure it is clean and dry.
One thing about our shipping containers is that they are made to be water-tight. This is great at keeping moisture out, but it can also occasionally lock it in. Make sure you are using desiccants when and where needed.
Preparing Items for Storage
Proper preparation of items for storage is important to prevent mold. Clean and dry items thoroughly before storing them to avoid moisture buildup and mold growth. Moisture is obviously your enemy, but you still want them to be completely clean.
Use plastic or metal containers instead of cardboard boxes directly on the ground. Thankfully, our shipping containers provide a barrier against this by having not only four walls, but a solid steel floor.
Packing desiccants in storage containers can absorb residual moisture and prevent mold growth. I personally use desiccant clay which is a non-toxic option, but silicon gel works great. Treat leather goods with specialized cleaning products and conditioners to prevent mold growth. Additionally, clean hard surfaces with bleach and water to kill mold spores and prevent their growth.
Finally, check out the storage unit itself. If it is already showing signs of moisture retention when it is empty, don’t rent it!
Preventing Mold Growth
To prevent mold growth, keep your belongings off the floors to protect them from mold and moisture. Use shelves or wooden pallets to elevate your items and prevent condensation. Investing in proper packing with waterproof boxes or silica gel can further prevent mold growth.
Regularly check your storage unit for signs of mold growth and address any issues promptly. I know it’s easy to forget about your storage unit; I’ve got one for vintage furniture and sometimes forget about it! Since storage units rarely come equipped with electrical outlets, using a dehumidifier isn’t really an option, but again, if you are that worried about it you might consider a climate controlled unit.
All in all, if you keep your stuff dry and clean, you don’t have much to worry about.
Best Practices for Storage Unit Maintenance
Again, you need to regularly inspect your storage unit for signs of mold growth and addressing any issues promptly is key to maintenance. Or better yet, keep tabs on it and make sure there isn’t anything in there that could Keeping your storage unit clean and dry is crucial to prevent mold growth. Use a vapor barrier to block outdoor moisture and prevent mold growth, and regularly monitor your storage unit’s humidity levels Again using a dehumidifier is probably not an option so you need to put your stuff away dry and keep it dry.
I have had great success using vacuum-packing bags where you remove as much air as possible with a vacuum cleaner. These do a great job of keeping out moisture and keeping things dry, with the added benefit of condensing soft items like clothes. You can pack a bunch of clothes into vacuum pack bags and then stuff those bags into tubs with an added layer of protection.
Parting Thoughts
Preventing mold in a non-climate controlled storage unit is a blend of passive and active measure. You need to make sure everything is clean and dry going in, and the more vapor barrier you have between your items and the elements, the better. Our storage units are water tight and extremely strong, but they are not climate controlled and it gets both very hot and humid and very cold here.
The goal is to not ever deal with existing mold in storage facilities. Too much humidity in your packed materials will eventually lead to mildew and mold, so humidity control is clutch. Fabric based items should be clean AND dry before going into storage, and control moisture levels as much as possible. Silica gel packets are a great tool for preventing mold and keeping moisture levels low in sealed containers like lock boxes and safes.
My Storage Box is the premium place to lock your goods up in North-Central Oklahoma, and we are expanding! Keep an eye on our website for future locations!