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How to Keep Moisture out of Storage Boxes

Jul 1, 2022 Brien Chua

Storage boxes or containers are patterned enclosures used to store products or personal items for safekeeping, hence we get to discuss how to keep moisture out of storage boxes. It is a safety practice in homes, offices and industrial locations that avoids the wreckage of products or items caused by possible physical or environmental factors. There is always the deliberate need to prioritize equipment, goods and products, and personal items, that the use of durable storage containers or storage boxes can then fill in the void.

Keeping things intact and well-arranged is a safe practice that must be closely followed. To do so you must know best practices on what you can store in plastic storage containers. Storage containers can often face outside threats to the substance they hold, on the inside. Moisture or condensation is one of such serious threats, while invasive mold and mildew are others. In this article, we are going to bring to your notice the negative gaining presence of moisture in containers and how best to rectify it.

Types of Storage Containers

Different types of storage containers exist within the range of storage containers. We will however make room for 11 of these storage containers commonly in use;

  1. Flat rack container
  2. Double door container
  3. General purpose container (otherwise called dry container)
  4. High cube container
  5. High-height container
  6. Insulated body container
  7. ISO Reefer container
  8. ISO tank container
  9. Open top container
  10. Open side container
  11. Sway body container

Each of these containers will react differently to moisture or condensation threats. Not just for their difference in geometry at play, also consequential is what they are made of and what they were meant to store.

How Moisture Forms in Storage Containers

Condensation easily forms in containers because in most cases it is only natural that it does, with the mechanism involved. There can be water vapor in the air trapped inside of the storage container, so even when it is airtight and sealed, moisture can still then form on the inside. The vapor starts condensing on the colder surfaces first. When a storage container is placed in a refrigerator, cooling pushes in from the outside, hence leaving the inside as the coldest surface that allows moisture to form easily.

The situation experienced with food storage containers is caused by water droplets forming strongly on the lids of these containers. Agreed that the whole process starts with the food storage container itself, as when it gets cold, the cooling food releases steam that is destined to hang up there on the inner surface of their lids.

In the manner condensation materializes with self-storage containers, it is chiefly caused by sun heating up the containers having relatively damp or wet items in them. The water in these wet items will evaporate from them, and when the containers starts cooling, moisture will collect on the inside of the containers. And, if left clinging to the inside surface of the roof, it can begin to drop back onto the below contents.

The condensation experienced by shipping containers is caused when the containers cool down overnight, thereby making water vapor locked within the air inside the containers to condense against any cold surface, which then causes a layer of damp to form on the inside, attached to the roof. It will then drip down into the goods underneath, where this is never good, as it is not even negotiable over the amount of damage it can cause.

Effect of Moisture in Storage Containers

Storage containers have to be double checked to ensure moisture is not likely to build up inside of your storage containers. This will help shield them from the negative effect of condensation. Let us get up to speed with the telling effect of moisture in storage containers.

On a more economically distributed scale, shipping containers are known to suffer the most effect. Many companies find it difficult to successfully transport their shipped merchandise with fewer damages incurred. The result of damage to shipped merchandise in transit was mostly immense, and it could be felt on several occasions. Container rain or container sweat is a condition that can deal company shipments a real blow.

It is in fact the case that approximately 10% of containerized goods are discarded owing to damages. Such a large amount of goods in the long run, in transit, that gets to the destination in bad condition and goes to waste. While this happens under certain climatic conditions that are inevitable when transporting cargo.

The general effect on all storage containers is the possible damage to the containers, and an uncontrollable damage to the goods placed in them. But in some other cases condensation only quickens the rate at which breeding grounds start to flourish for bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. It can as well contaminate food products and render them unfit for use early, so to this end, concrete reasons why you just must get right, how to keep moisture out of storage boxes.

Preventive Measures on How to Keep Moisture out of Storage Boxes

There are many possible ways to keep moisture out of containers. The smaller the container size and less complex the surrounding climatic conditions, the better. Here are 4 of such ways:

1.  Store Clean and Dry:

This is of utmost importance in making sure storage containers are moisture free. When items enter in damp, without desiccators they stay damp and this will cause problems. To avoid such problems, properly clean and dry before storage.

2.  Stuff Storage with a lot of Desiccators:

Here you can use moisture absorbents. This type of product referred to as desiccators will deal with any bit of moisture left in your storage. A fine deal in your choice of moisture absorber for storage containers is silica gel packets. The right amount, sometimes just a few, will simply seize the opportunity to help wipe out residual moisture for you. But to note that desiccators will expire overtime, so you have to know what condition they are in, later.

3.  Airflow consideration:

The whole unit of the storage has to be put into consideration and to confirm the placement of the unit to be in order. A tarp laying on the storage unit and underneath to avoid meeting the concrete floor, is a standard practice that you should seek to maintain.

4.  Choose a Climate Controlled Unit:

This could mean an insulated body or material. But with advancements in the storage sections, tripling up on moisture protection is an even safer route to take. Completely keeps moisture from entering and keeps out mold and mildew as a result. These are storage bins to keep out moisture.

This should conclude measures to ensure how to keep moisture out of storage boxes.

First hand Benefits of Keeping Storage Containers Moisture Free

Real benefits of moisture free storage containers help in putting these containers to perfect use. Some of such 5 benefits are:

1.  Waterproof:

Storage containers are made to be able to withstand water splashes and even the rains when the lid is well fitted. This is otherwise on unavoidable conditions, that you will then trust this feature of damp-proof storage boxes to save the day. Because it is better advisable to wipe inner and outer areas of storage containers dry.

2.  Protection Against Spread of Dust:

Indoor or outdoor dust particles are constantly on the move gliding through the air with the help of small air wind movements. Storage containers provide closed space away from this spread of dust for your stored items. However, wipe clean dust particles left on the outer surface continually.

3.  Pest Control:

Many pests and insects will consider an accessible pile or  pack of items a conducive location to make dwelling or use as a playground, and worse case directly do damage to the stored items. But a durable storage container will help you to easily get rid of pests to breed and hinder the nuisance they cause.

4.  Security:

The security storage containers provide, will secure food items from contamination. And, the possible harmful nature of some climatic conditions. Even from rodents and insects as well, that will want to pick apart grains and legumes.

5.  Customizable Solutions:

In the new dispensation, storage containers can be constructed to meet your very taste. You can have them just as you want them, with enough fittings, wide areas and the right size. To help you in the best way possible to store clothes and prevent mold and mildew.

FAQ:

1.  What Can You Put in a Storage Box to Avoid Moisture?

A desiccant like silica gel packets can be introduced to help keep moisture away. It is a substance that can be used to sustain or induce conditions of dryness. This dryness is the same as desiccation. Clear opposite to the use of a humectant.

2.  How Do You Dehumidify a Storage Box?

The use of a desiccant which is a hygroscopic substance can induce a state of dryness to the material into which it was introduced. This will happen gradually and the effect is to remain permanent.

3.  How Do You Keep Mold Out of Storage Containers?

  • The use of insulated materials should come to mind first, this way choosing your box wisely is settled. Having sealed plastic storage bins will be another edge.
  • Then you can clean and dry your items for storage before placing them in.
  • Consider having a climate-controlled unit for your storage container, as an airtight plastic container.
  • Be deliberate about airflow gauging — allow a bit of spacing and keep storage containers away from the concrete floor.
  • Place a lot of desiccators, stuff them into your storage containers. This is normally what to put in storage bins to prevent mold and mildew.

4.  What Material Absorbs Moisture in Storage?

A desiccant pack will well manage inducing dryness in your storage. The effect is believed to be permanent and moisture free storage can be assured, with little possibility of mildew or mold forming inside.

5.  Should I Put a Tarp on the Floor of My Storage Unit?

Yes. To prevent storage containers from meeting concrete floor a large tarp or a layer of plastic sheeting can help prevent condensation and its effect. This under placement still helps to prevent leaks.

In addition, it is also advisable to lay a tarp over the top of storage containers and storage boxes.

Conclusion

Storage containers are needed on a daily basis and new demands for them are not taking a bow anytime soon. The learning curve on how to keep moisture out of storage boxes peaks at what you take from this vital information. Either you have your critical storage needs now or you will have them in the near future, but in any case, this article should serve as a pointer. Storage containers are for your respite, even when you are not there to see how they keep your wares very much intact.

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