If you have discovered mould in your self storage unit this article will help you clear it up, and rescue the items that are still salvageable. 

It can happen to anyone. You go into your self storage unit, dig around in a box looking forward to getting out an item you haven’t seen for ages, and eww, gross, it’s covered in mould. 

Mould and mildew can do some real damage to your things, especially if the problem isn’t tackled right away. It creates an awful damp smell, rots and stains materials like fabric and card, and it can even be problematic for your health to. 

To help you avoid mould and mildew in your self storage unit, and to deal with any that has already occurred, lets take a closer look at what to do about these stinky spores.

Understanding Mould And Mildew

Mould and mildew are fungi and spores that enjoy warmth and moisture, which is why they are so common in bathrooms. They will grow anywhere with the right conditions. To differentiate between the two, mould is usually black, but can be green or brown. Mildew tends to be white or off white. 

Protecting Your Unit From Mould And Mildew

Choose A Good Company

A good company will do everything they can to ensure their units are mould and mildew free. Try storing.com’s website as they are a reputable provider. If you spot any before at all in your unit either don’t use that company to store your things, or let them know right away so they can treat it. 

Dry Anything You Store

Anything you store should be clean and dry. If you store items that are moist when they go into storage, you could end up with mould and mildew. The spores could then spread to other items in your unit. 

Airflow

Airflow is encouraged when you prune a plant, which helps prevent infection and pests. The same bus advised for a self storage unit. Good airflow helps the air circulate which helps keep the overall unit dry. Regularly moving items around and avoiding stacking against the walls will also help. 

Climate Control

Climate control can help avoid the unit overheating, which can then cause high humidity levels. Good self storage in London, or local to you, may well have climate control but it is worth asking first before you sign a contract. You could also keep a humidity meter in your unit as well to check things are as they should be. 

What To Do When You Find Mould In Your Unit

If you have been unlucky enough to find mould on your items in your unit, you will need to take action. The key is to remove any affected items, and/ or moist items first. This removes anything that is of immediate risk to your other things. 

You may then want to do the following:

  • Invest in climate controlled storage like WheeKeep.  
  • Package materials like clothing in cardboard boxes or proper bags rather than plastic, which can trap in moisture
  • Rejig the unit to increase airflow
  • Place dehumidifiers in the unit
  • Check there is no damp and mould on the walls, as this indicates the issue could be the unit not your belongings 

Mould and mildew is damaging, smelly and it ruins the things we love. With the tips and precautions above you can avoid dealing with this tricky fungi, keeping your belongings in great condition whilst they are in self storage.