Just because you are storing things in a storage unit without climate control, it doesn't mean that your items are destined to be moist in storage. There are practical and easy steps you can take to keep the items dry throughout the storage duration; here are some of those steps.

Ensure They Go In Clean and Dry

The first thing is to ensure that the items go into the storage unit clean and dry. They need to go in clean because dirt attracts moisture, and they need to go in dry so that they aren't damaged from moisture carried inside. This is why one of the most common advice you will hear when taking things to a self-storage unit is to clean the items and dry them first.

Encourage Airflow within the Unit

It's also advisable to encourage airflow throughout the unit so that the circulating air can take care of any moisture that may be in the unit; this will also prevent moist air from shedding its water in the unit. These few tips will ensure efficient air circulation within the storage unit:

• Keep the boxes raised above the floor
• Leave spaces between rows or columns of storage boxes
• Leave spaces between storage boxes and the sides of the storage unit
• Don't rent a storage unit that fit your items exactly without any remnant space

Use Breathable Packing Materials

Airtight packing materials may seem like a good bet for keeping your items dry (by keeping moisture out), but that is not the only things they do. The airtight materials will also trap moist items within your moving boxes or individually wrapped items, which may lead to condensation and water damage. Instead, use breathable materials for the items you don't want to experience moisture.

Leave Desiccants in the Storage Unit

A desiccant is a material that has a high affinity for water; the surrounding of a desiccant stays dry because the material absorbs any moisture in its surrounding. Keeping desiccants in strategic places within your storage unit will help because they will absorb the moisture that would otherwise damage your storage items. There are commercial desiccants, but you can also make some on your own or improvise. Things like cat litter and charcoal briquettes are suitable alternatives to commercial desiccants.

Hopefully, the above tips will help you protect your storage items from moisture. Of course, if you really have delicate items that moisture can damage, then you are better off renting climate-controlled storage units.