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Prepare Your Items for Self Storage
Tips to Help Protect Your Goods from Mould & Mildew
Unfortunately, the protection policy provided by GB Storage Ltd does not protect your items against any damage caused by mould or mildew (this is a typical exclusion amongst self storage companies).
Thankfully, however, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of your items being damaged whilst in storage.
Before placing your items into storage, consider the steps below to ensure your items stay as mould and mildew free as possible so there are no nasty surprises when you retrieve your precious items.
Thankfully, however, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of your items being damaged whilst in storage.
Before placing your items into storage, consider the steps below to ensure your items stay as mould and mildew free as possible so there are no nasty surprises when you retrieve your precious items.
Clean & Dry, Dry, DRY!
Mattresses are susceptible to mould and mildew, due to the moisture they can trap over time. Be sure to clean, vacuum and spot clean your mattress if necessary. But most importantly- allow it to air and dry completely before storing it away for any length of time.
All fabrics are good at trapping moisture, so make sure they are thoroughly dried before packing. Also make sure that any stains are removed as a small spot may spread if left to fester.
Air Flow
Mattresses are susceptible to mould and mildew, due to the moisture they can trap over time. Be sure to clean, vacuum and spot clean your mattress if necessary. But most importantly- allow it to air and dry completely before storing it away for any length of time.
All fabrics are good at trapping moisture, so make sure they are thoroughly dried before packing. Also make sure that any stains are removed as a small spot may spread if left to fester.
Air Flow
Mould and mildew thrive in a damp environment. An easy way to reduce the risk of your items being damaged by mould and mildew is to allow air flow in and around your storage unit.
- Don’t stack boxes closely together or push them against the sides of the storage unit. Although you want to maximise the space available, this must be balanced with the need to protect your goods.
- Do leave some space between items, which will help to reduce the moisture in your storage unit.
Prepare & Pack
If storing clothes, we recommend plastic boxes with airtight lids to ensure that no moisture can access them whilst in storage.
If storing art, consider covering the painting/print in a heavy breathable cloth rather than plastic which could trap moisture.
You can also use silica gel sachets to place inside your boxes.
Clothes/Fabrics – Ensure these are clean, dry and packed in a plastic airtight storage container.
If storing clothes, we recommend plastic boxes with airtight lids to ensure that no moisture can access them whilst in storage.
If storing art, consider covering the painting/print in a heavy breathable cloth rather than plastic which could trap moisture.
You can also use silica gel sachets to place inside your boxes.
Clothes/Fabrics – Ensure these are clean, dry and packed in a plastic airtight storage container.
- Paintings/Art – Wrap in a heavy breathable cloth and use a specialist art box.
- Mattresses and Pillows- Use a vacuum cleaner, followed by an upholstery cleaner or baking powder to absorb any odours. Leave it outside to dry in the air (when it’s not raining, obviously!) and unsure it is completely dry. If you are going to cover it in plastic, it is crucial that absolutely no moisture is in the mattress. Otherwise, the plastic will trap any moisture and make it more likely to attract mould and mildew whilst in storage.
- Furniture – Protect surfaces with bubble wrap, keep delicate faces off the floor and use dust sheets to cover them.
- Books – Store books in a strong box, lined with tissue paper or packing paper (but not newspaper). Be sure your books are dust free before packing them away for storage. Allow space between, as they will need airflow.
Raise Your Items Off The Floor
Help air to flow underneath your items by raising them off the floor. Shelving or racking units are, as an example, a way of keeping items elevated and separated, allowing air flow all around your items.