Before you rent a storage unit at a facility like Statewide Self Storage, you must understand how to protect your items from fungi. Mold and mildew can easily damage any item you store in your unit. To keep these fungi from growing, you need to do make sure you have the right storage unit and protective items for your personal belongings.

Keep Belongings Dry

Any item you plan to store needs to be thoroughly dried. Mold and mildew like damp dark areas, because this promotes growth. Minimizing the dampness of any item you store is essential for preventing these fungi from growing.

Aside from making sure everything is dry, you also want to protect your items from moisture. One way to do this is to spray clothing with a water repellent. This chemical keeps your clothing from collecting moisture caused by humidity.

Some companies also sell a water repellent that you can use on hard surfaces such as metal, wood and plastic. However, it is usually not a good idea to use this chemical on artwork, pictures or delicate materials that stain easily.

Use Silica Packets

Silica packets are another way to reduce moisture within your storage unit. Silica has the ability to capture around 40 percent of its own weight in moisture.

You can find this chemical in many different sizes and it is sometimes referred to as just silica gel. Another advantage is that you can place the packets inside or outside your containers to collect moisture. Additionally, when the gel is saturated, if you heat it up over 300 degrees F, it will dry out and you can reuse it.

Choose Climate Control

Another way to reduce moisture is to choose a climate-controlled storage unit. These units keep their internal temperature set at a specific range. Some facilities may offer different temperature ranges, so you want to ask about this feature before renting a unit.

You can also find some storage facilities that use a dehumidifier that removes moisture from the air that is generally the result of high humidity in your area. The combination of this system along with a constant temperature will make it extremely difficult for mold and mildew to grow on the items you store within your unit.

Since mold and mildew can damage your personal belongings inside a storage unit, it is best to know how to keep these fungi from growing. Your best options will be to eliminate any moisture and choose a unit that stays at a constant temperature year round.