How to Prevent Moisture in Your Storage Unit

Storage units can prove to be useful on many occasions. People rent them when they’re renovating their home, so they can store belongings that are in the way of construction. Another common instance where you might need a unit is when you are relocating. Imagine the situation where you’re moving long-distance. Your movers might arrive at the destination a few days before you, or maybe the new house isn’t ready yet. You’ll need a space to put all of your belongings in, but you also need to know that they will stay safe. Storage facilities are the way to go! But, you need to know how to prevent moisture in your storage unit. We’ve got just the tips for you!

three storage units with numbers on them — Be smart about picking the right storage unit for your needs

Moisture is your biggest enemy in a storage unit

When you’re researching the options of storage Florida, you’ll see that there are many different types of storage units. We’ll talk about this further on, but for now, you should know that you have to be careful when selecting the company you want to go with. The prices differ, and also the conditions of the units themselves. Moisture and mold are very difficult to detect, and once you do see its effects, it’s usually too late. The damage may have already been done. It can damage walls, wood, paper, and some items that can get in a state beyond repairs.

However, if you’re being careful, you can detect moisture in two ways, either by smelling the air or looking at walls and corners. But, why should you wait for it to appear, and then have trouble with removing it? Keep our tips in mind and prevent moisture in your storage unit in a few easy and simple ways.

How can you prevent moisture in your storage unit?

First of all, you should make sure that all items that you want to store inside a unit are completely dry. If you’re going to keep clothes in storage, wash and dry them before putting them away. Cleaning your upholstery is also a good thing to do before storing it, but make sure that it is 100% dry beforehand. Anything that’s even a little bit damp can cause moisture to appear. Once it does, your clothes and furniture will go to waste, and anything metal that you have may rust and cause further issues.

Another thing that you have to keep in mind that not only wet items can wreak havoc in a storage unit. Dirty ones can do that as well. If you have any leftover food or crumbs in your pockets, it can attract rodents and they will bite through any material they can. Even if you’re only renting short-term storage, paying attention to the state of your belongings will keep them safe in the end.

man sealing a cardboard box — Before you seal your boxes and bins, make sure that everything inside is dry and clean.

Regularly check the humidity levels in the unit

After you’ve found a reliable storage unit for your needs, such as those offered by Cross Country Moving Group FL, you should still keep an eye on it from time to time. The main tip for preventing moisture in the storage unit is to keep an eye on the humidity levels inside it. Normal indoor humidity levels are anywhere from 30% to 50%. In case it goes over that, changes od mold appearing are very high. You can either hire professionals to do it for you, or you can do it yourself. Getting a hygrometer is a simple and easy way to keep these levels in check.

Proper air circulation is also crucial for avoiding mold and moisture. If there is enough air circulation, the mold particles will be swept out and the moisture levels will stay low. You can do this in a few ways:

If there is a cement floor, do not put your belongings directly on it. Get a few wooden pallets and stack everything on top of them.
Try not to place items directly to the walls on the side either.
Leave some space between the cardboard boxes, if possible.
Invest in a climate-controlled storage unit where the air circulation is controlled, as well as the temperature inside.

Using desiccants can prevent moisture from appearing

The is one question you are probably asking yourselves now. That is, “What do I do if my moisture levels are over 50%”? Well, we’re here to give you the solution. There are a bunch of different desiccants you can use that will absorb the excess moisture in your storage unit. Additionally, you can place them inside at the beginning, to avoid this problem from the start. Some of the desiccants (materials which absorb water) are:

Silica gel
Cat litter
Salt
Rice

Place open containers of any of these desiccants in your storage unit and you won’t have to worry about high moisture levels. Chances are, you already have them in your home and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to keep your belongings safe in the unit.

person cleaning a cat litter box — Using cat litter is a great way to absorb extra moisture in your storage unit.

Use the right boxes to pack your items for storage

Even though most people tend to pack everything in cardboard moving boxes, there are other options as well. For instance, if you are storing away clothes, it’s better if you use airtight plastic bins in this situation. That way, you’ll prevent moisture from coming in. On the other hand, you should pack books and sensitive artwork in boxes that allow air circulation, but you still have to protect them from rodents. In either case, if you decide to rent a storage unit, do your research and be smart about your choices. Not all units will be ideal for your needs, and that is okay! As long as you’ve found the right one for you, and have prepared accordingly, you shouldn’t worry about a thing.