How to Protect Furniture in Storage from the mold

Are you looking for storage? Living in the era of consumerism seems that we all need storage, at least at some point. Even if you have a large apartment or house, you probably don’t want it to be crowded with items you don’t even use that frequently. And if you are looking for the best storage solution for your furniture, you need to keep it safe. Although often bulky, wood and ladder items are very delicate and they require special conditions. Mold is definitely one of the biggest enemies fragile materials. So, let’s give it some thought and learn how to protect furniture in storage from the mold. 

First of all, choose the right type of storage unit

Obviously, the easiest way to avoid an issue with mildew and mold in your storage unit is to never make that risk. By choosing the right type of storage unit, you will most likely prevent this kind of issues. Furniture stored in a climate controlled storage Columbus facility ”can breathe”. This type of storage units allows air to circulate. And air circulation is certainly one of the key factors in maintaining a level of freshness in the unit and protecting furniture in storage from the mold.

Think about what you store

You should be careful about what you store in your storage unit, especially if that is a long term storage solution for you.  If you want to protect furniture in storage from the mold, you should keep it away from mold and mildew producing items. Typically these items are wet, damp cloths or rags. Although they will dry out eventually, for your furniture may be too late. Mold can grow very fast, and as soon as it gets good conditions, it will be hard to get rid of it.

Inspect for leaks

If you plan to use an outdoor storage unit after all, and before you purchase or rent one, check it well for potential leaks. Search thoroughly for possible cracks and holes. And remember, no matter how small and barely visible the cracks are, they put your furniture at risk. Outdoor weather conditions and wear often cause such cracks to appear on outdoor storage, and you should be careful.

Also, if you are storing liquid items in your storage unit, be aware that they may leak too. All it takes is one punctured bottle or packaging, sitting behind furniture or boxes, away from view. Once the leak starts, mold or mildew begin to grow. In order to prevent this unpleasant scenario, better be careful of what you store.

Protect furniture in storage from the mold, and other fragile items

Although no item is really resistant to the mold, some materials are more fragile than others. The ones most susceptible to damages are:

• Wood
• Leather
• Mattresses
• Clothing
• Soft plastics
• All paper items, including cardboard boxes
• Upholstered furniture
• Kitchen appliances, especially the ones that haven’t been properly cleaned before storage

Check humidity

If you might think that temperature alone can help prevent mold and mildew spread, that is not quite true. Actually, the humidity is the biggest culprit. Hence, if you can keep the humidity below the 50 percent range, you have a much better chance of reducing mold and mildew spread. Low humidity makes bad conditions for the organisms to grow and helps you save your furniture from the mold. You will control it by measuring the humidity levels inside your storage unit regularly. And one of the main benefits of climate controlled storage is that it has humidity under control. Remember, indoor humidity should never exceed 50%.

There are two ways to check the humidity level. You can either ask professionals to get it tested or you can install a relative humidity meter inside your storage unit. In both cases, it may cost you a penny or two, but it’s definitely worth it. Once you test your humidity level you should know what your next steps are. If the humidity level is high you should involve a detailed visual check of the whole unit. And, if you notice mold somewhere you will have to call for professional help.
If you didn’t notice any, continue searching the cause and take the necessary steps to lower down the level of humidity.

Consider installing a vapor barrier

We are all attached to our personal items, and the last thing we want is to see them damaged. Imagine you rent the best student storage, and find it covered with mold after some time. With these things, better be safe than sorry. A great way to damp-proof your storage space is to install a vapor barrier. That is a polyethylene plastic or foil that is placed on the warmer side of the storage wall to block outdoor moisture. You should also install this membrane beneath the floor to prevent water from the ground to seep inside and protect furniture in storage from the mold.

Or go green and use charcoal

If you are looking for a natural alternative to your moisture problem, charcoal could be just for you. Briquettes from charcoal absorb not only moisture but the unpleasant smell as well. Just wrap them in fabric, like crystals, and sew them up. Also, you can place them inside a bucket or basket lined with foil or plastic, or on a metal tray. Remember to replace the briquettes every month or two.

Check on your storage unit every once in a while

Stopping by your storage unit every once in a while is the best way to control the situation. If you live far away, you could maybe have a friend or family member periodically check in on your storage unit. If any type of damage occurred, you will be able to resolve it before it grows into a bigger problem. Protect furniture in storage from the mold, so you can enjoy it many years to come!