Storing For A Cleaner Home

Storing For A Cleaner Home

Clothing Storage Mistakes To Avoid

by Irma Soto

If you need to store most of your belongings in a storage unit due to an extended trip, relocation, or an off-site work assignment, then you may want to place the majority of your wardrobe into the unit. If so, you want to protect your garments from damage. Keep reading to learn about some mistakes that you should avoid if you want your clothes to remain in great condition:

Using Boxes Or Plastic Bags

Mold and mildew are both going to be issues when using a self-storage unit. Ventilation is key when it comes to reducing mildew issues, but it is not often possible to ventilate a secured storage space. In this case, you want to ensure that your belongings are actually sealed tightly in airtight containers. While ventilation can reduce the moisture that encourages mold growth, mold also needs oxygen to flourish, so cutting off an air supply will keep mildew at bay. 

This means not using plastic bags, boxes, or dry cleaning bags to store your items. You should purchase and use plastic bins instead. When buying the bins make sure to opt for ones with four locking clasps. These varieties, as well as ones that are labeled weather tight, are a good choice. Of course, when you use the bins, make sure that all items are completely dry. Packing the bins in a dry environment is a good choice as well for keeping moisture away. 

Adding Moth Balls

If you want to protect your clothes from pests, then the airtight sealing can help with this. However, some clothing items may have moth or other insect eggs on them. While many eggs will not hatch and will remain dormant in a sealed environment, some eggs may hatch soon after you store your belongings due to the availability of oxygen and a food source. This can result in the formation of small holes in your clothing.

While moth ball will kill pests like clothes moths, they do contain insecticides like naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. Both of these chemical agents can cause some dermatitis and allergic reactions. Also, the moth balls can be dangerous to pets and children, and they will make your clothing smell bad. Simply put, moth balls smell the way they do due to the vaporization of the insecticide agents. 

Instead of using moth balls, use cedar balls or cedar blocks instead. These products contain natural oils that are toxic to pests, and they make your clothing smell good at the same time. Click here for info about choosing a self-storage unit near you. 


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About Me

Storing For A Cleaner Home

After struggling for years with a messy, cluttered home, I realized that there were some issues that we needed to work out. I started focusing carefully on moving things that I didn't need out of my house by either donating them, trashing them, or storing them in a storage unit. It was really incredible to see how big of a difference cleanliness made in our lives, and now I have a personal commitment to keeping my home clean and organized. This blog is all about storing things to make your home clean and beautiful. Check it out for great information!

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