Preventing mold in storage areas

3/26/2018 (Permalink)

Many times there's more mold hidden behind the walls than hat you can see.

It’s time to put away the winter clothes and get out the summer gear, and get ready for some fun in the sun!  But, the storage area you put the summer clothes in now has a musty odor, and you can see some mold staining on a few of the clothes.

But, don’t make the same mistake this season, pack the winter clothes away carefully and perhaps avoid a repeat in the fall.  Here are some tips:

Don’t pack wet/damp clothes or items away.  Anything damp will not dry quickly in the confined space of a closet, attic, crawl space, or any storage area.  Ensure that everything to be packed away is completely dry.

Don’t pack items too tightly.  Air currents help prevent mold from finding a cool, damp place to hide, and then colonize.  Try to leave space in between hangers in a closet, and don’t pack plastic tubs full to near overflowing.

Keep closet/storage areas doors open (when possible).  Just like above, you need air to circulate as much as possible.  So, if you have the doors and windows open on a nice, Spring day, also open your closet doors and dresser drawers, to let the air circulate in those areas as well.

If you see mold, or smell a musty odor, do NOT ignore it.  Mold will not simply go away; it will go dormant until another shot of moisture triggers it again.  Mold can be dormant for many years.

If you think you may have a mold situation, call the experts at SERVPRO Bedford Park/Burbank.  We can come out and inspect the areas, and, if you do have mold, give you options on how to combat it.