How to prevent mold and mildew in self-storage
So you’ve decided to do some spring cleaning. (It doesn’t matter if it’s not really spring). What ever time of year it is, uncluttering your home is always a good idea. The question now is; what to do with the items you don’t readily use but definitely want to keep? Well, self-storage is always a good idea! You get a self-storage unit and you’re worry free. Not so fast, getting a self-storage unit is only the beginning. In order to keep your valuables safe and mold free, you need to know how to prevent mold and mildew in self-storage.
Mold in self-storage
Mold and mildew can grow just about anywhere, even in self-storage. These minute fungal organisms can be found anywhere, but since they are invisible to the naked eye, we don’t usually see them until they have spread. When you store something in a contained space it is the ideal environment for the spread of mold. While you may believe that temperature can aid in the prevention of mold, it is actually humidity you have to worry about. Seek a climate controlled storage unit but don’t stop there. Keeping the humidity level below 45 percent will help prevent the spreading of mold and mildew. Mold will not spread so easily under these conditions. Ask your self-storage provider about humidity control and dehumidification options.
How to prevent the spread of mold
When you’re storing items in your self-storage, you need to know which items are the most susceptible to mold damage. Some of these items are:
- Leather
- Upholstered furniture
- Clothing
- Mattresses
- Paper products (cardboard boxes included)
- Wood
These items should be treated before storage in order to prevent mold. Start by cleaning all surfaces with a mild cleaning product, especially if you’re storing refrigerators, stoves and other appliances that are used for food storage. Make sure all the food residue has been wiped clean. Don’t package clothes or linens in plastic. Hanging them loosely is the better option. There are a few things that can draw moisture and mold from the air. Putting baking soda in the refrigerator, using charcoal briquettes (these should be replaced every 30 to 60 days) or silica gel packets. Kitty litter can also absorb moisture (open a bag or pour some into a bucket and place it in the center of the unit). Talk to your self-storage provider for more tips and tricks.
Cleaning items affected by mold
Following this advice can help you keep mold out of your rented storage unit, however, if you are storing in your own unit and mold makes its way into your unit, don’t despair! You can call a professional to help you with mold removal. Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration is your best choice. With over 25 years of content cleaning experience, these IICRC master certified experts have all the resources and expertise needed to restore your mold contaminated items. Soil-Away is NH’s only Esporta Certified Operator, which qualifies them to restore soft-contents and textiles that have been affected by mold. To get help from the mold remediation experts, call team Soil-Away at (603) 641-6555. Written by E. Aceves
