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(603) 641-6555

Preventing Mold Growth on Stored Items

Written by jsolloway on . Posted in , , .

During the holidays your home seems to have grown smaller. Between parties, gifts and decorations stuff just accumulates. It’s time to do some purging to make space. Out with the old – in with the new! However, sometimes it’s difficult to part with some of the old. Let’s face it, some old stuff could prove to be quite valuable or sentimental. Those items should probably be put away for safe keeping. But this could prove trickier than you first thought. Looking back on some of your old items that have been stored away for a while, you notice some have been overrun by mold and mildew. The question: how do you go about preventing mold growth on stored items?

Differences between mold and mildew

Mold and mildew are fungi growths found on numerous surfaces. One of the biggest differences is in appearance as well as the surfaces where they grow. Mold is usually thicker and is either black, green, red or blue in color. Mildew, however, is often lighter, is powdery and gray or white in color. The culprits develop in moist, warm areas. Mildew is more likely found in showers as well as on paper and fabrics. Mold however, tends to form on foods, wood, leather and in walls and other permanent structures. While mildew has a powdery look, mold has a more fuzzy or slimy appearance. Some mold covered surfaces can begin to rot. These invaders can destroy your belongings and cause harmful health issues.

Safe storage to avoid mold growth

The causes of mold and mildew are clear – moisture!  Before storing containers, make sure they are completely dry. Make sure you’re storing items in a unit that has low humidity. It would be a good idea to get a dehumidifier for your unit or basement/attic. Another idea is to use a charcoal briquette. These absorb water from the air (these should be replaced every 30-60 days). Allow your articles access to air. Do not leave your items unattended for long periods of time. Check in on them regularly to inspect for any signs of microbial growth.

Basement storage strategies

When storing your items in a basement, make sure the space is free of excessive moisture. Repair any cracks in the foundation, and in floors or walls. Apply waterproof paint on basement walls to guard against moisture. Check your gutters and downspouts frequently for signs of clogging or blockage. Remove all leaves and debris and make sure water flows freely so it won’t collect in your storage space.

When storage fails and you have mold on your belongings

Hopefully you can successfully put all your mold/mildew prevention methods to good use. However, if mold does invade your home, you should call a mold remediation professional. Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration is an excellent choice for New Hampshire residents. Once the problem has begun, you need an expert to clean the mess. With over 25 years of quick, efficient service, they are the ones to call for mold removal services. Call them 24/7 at (603) 641-6555.
Written by E. Aceves

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Jay KorsenJay Korsen
00:51 04 Aug 22
All I have to say is WOW and FANTASTIC. I just got done building out my new professional office with Soil-Away’s construction division and they went ABOVE and BEYOND. Scott and Mike, the carpenters are skilled artisans. The project got done on time and the project came in on budget! The finished results have been blowing people away. Much better than I could have anticipated. Anyone is welcome to come to our office, Bright Light Chiropractic in Hooksett to check out the fine work they did. Simply can’t sing enough praises for them. Sorry that the picture doesn’t do the job justice. Thank you Jack and your team. -Dr. Jay
Asian BreezeAsian Breeze
04:28 15 Jul 22
Since day one, I’ve known the owner, Jack, to be a hard-working and selfless leader. Through the efforts of him and his team, he was able to restore my flooded restaurant to tip-top shape. I was amazed with Jack’s orderliness throughout the entire process. Jack has proven to me that he is trustworthy, as both a friend and an individual in the work environment.
Breton LangendorferBreton Langendorfer
21:17 07 Jul 22
Highly recommend Soil-Away. A pipe in our upstairs bathroom gave and sent water down through a wall for at least a day before we noticed water dripping through our kitchen ceiling. Our insurance put us in touch with Soil-Away and they were at our house the next morning to assess the damage and dry things out. Joe, Ray and Tom were phenomenal to work with. They explained every part of the process to us and were very professional and friendly. If you have to deal with similar issues call Soil-Away, you won’t regret it.
Maureen CidzikMaureen Cidzik
13:49 15 May 22
Superior service from start to finish. Highly responsive. The entire team is dedicated to quality and customer care and it shows in everything they do – from first call, to estimate, to job completion.
Sarah GrugnaleSarah Grugnale
16:02 14 Jan 22
Joe and Tommy were amazing to deal with, they kept us updated every step of the process. They were punctual and hard working, answering all of our questions that we had. Everything was done as promised and even above and beyond. A great experience from start to finish.
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