Moving Again?? How to Help Protect from Moisture

Hello!!

While once again getting ready to move, I began to make sure to reduce the chance of mold or moisture damage for my packed things by doing what I have learned to do. It occurred to me that perhaps my little trick would be a good helpful hint or “hack” for any of you who may also be preparing to move.

You know the little net bags that contain birdseed that you get at a wedding? Or the pretty little net bags your gifts or jewelry comes in? Keep them! See the little net bags in the wedding supply isle? Get some!

Do you ever drink tea made from tea leaves and use a tea ball? Those work great, too!

Have you ever heard a remedy to moisture in your cell phone is to place it in a bag of uncooked dry rice? (I bet you see where I’m going now.) Uncooked dry rice is a great moisture absorber!

When packing a box or (especially) plastic storage bin, break out those old net bags and tea balls. It’s time to protect your things from moisture and mold damage!

ALL YOU NEED IS:

• net bags (for larger container) and/or tea balls (for smaller containers)
• uncooked dry rice

Open the bag or ball, pour rice into it, close it up, and place it on the top of the content in the box or storage bin, and that’s it! You’re all done!

Simple, right?

I don’t know if this works for extended-time storage (like numerous months or years), but I’ve had really good experience with it. Just change it every once in a while to make sure it can still absorb sufficient moisture.

Circulation Holes Can Be Big Trouble…

IF your plastic storage bins have holes for “circulation” (some don’t) and you don’t want bugs or moisture to enter the bin, I use heavy duty shipping or mail tape to cover those openings.

Circulation is great…in a dry climate with no spiders or ant or wasps or….(you get the picture). But most storage places (attic, garage, shed, non-climate-controlled facility) have temperature changes that occur. Those temperature changes can be drastic enough to cause condensation (aka moisture), which can produce mold.

By sealing these “wonderful” circulation holes, YOU are more in control of what happens on the INSIDE of your bin. I have found that by creating and placing rice moisture-absorbers (or store-bought moisture-inhibitors) in each box and bin, the contents are better protected.

Cement Floor Storage?

If the place you will be storing your precious boxes and bins has a cement floor, get some used palates. Yep! Those wooden palates that department stores receive shipments on are great for lifting stored goods off of the cold cement floor. This reduces the chance of condensation and mold on the bottoms and sides of your bins and boxes…AND protects from flooding if water should somehow get under the door and to the floor of your storage unit.

So let’s get packing and begin our next great adventure!!!!