alison Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Wow, exciting topic here , but I was wondering if anyone here had any experience of damp-proof storage, maybe cupboards or crates that you might use to store paperwork, computer equipment and so on in e.g. a loft, garage or garden shed without everything going mouldy or crinkly? I'm told you can line the actual buildings to make them damp-proof, but that might be a bit extreme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Locking plastic file boxes? The type with two handles that clip over the lid - stationary places sell them pretty cheaply. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I put silica gel sachets in storage boxes, not the ones that give you a container to collect the moisture but turn into a gel. Occasionally Aldi have them with their special buys or can get from Lakeland or Robert Dyas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trog Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 You cat buy silica gel from Amazon - 50 packets for under a tenner. There are also come cartridges for use in larger areas. When they change colour you bake them or nuke them in the microwave and you can reuse them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huddsballetmum Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Wow that's such a good idea. I store stuff in the loft and it can often get a bit mouldy. I never thought to use silica gel packs. Will be purchasing from Amazon after this post! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2016 Author Share Posted November 4, 2016 Hmm, that is indeed an idea. I was thinking probably of something more like airtight, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 (edited) Well, I've kept paperwork in our loft for nearly 20 years. It is not even in boxes with lids; just those boxes that stack one on top of the other. Not a hint of mildew to be seen. I do live in a terraced house though, with a south facing roof. Maybe that makes a difference. In the past, I have used those airtight vacuum bags for various things, without any problems. I think you can get vacuum boxes which work on the same principle. Edited November 4, 2016 by Fonty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I'm thinking airtight will be hard to achieve unless you buy a vacuum pack and sealer unit. Plastic storage containers although have secure lids are not going to be totally airtight. Husband has a load of documents stored in cardboard boxes in garage that have been there years ~ 25. Mice have shredded the towels and newspaper I store in emergency hedgehog rescue box but haven't touched his documents. They look tedious to me and obviously to the local mice too. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pud Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 Lakeland vacuum totes with outer cover - you can use with your own vacuum cleaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Yorkshire Pud can you get those things to work? My attempts always fail. I used to store duvets, coats etc in them and slowly over a number of weeks the bags expand having let air in. The bag is then wedged on top of a wardrobe or under a bed and requires mammoth effort to remove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) Yorkshire Pud can you get those things to work? My attempts always fail. I used to store duvets, coats etc in them and slowly over a number of weeks the bags expand having let air in. The bag is then wedged on top of a wardrobe or under a bed and requires mammoth effort to remove. I have used them, and I never had them expand to that extent. I put our entire wardrobe in several of these when we were renting our house out for two years, and our clothes survived with no problems. However, I have heard other people say that repeated use causes the seal to become less efficient. If the contents are not going to be swimming in water, the only other cheap method that I can think of are the sort of waterproof bags used by sailors and watersports people for protecting their belongings. I've never used one, so cannot recommend anything. Edited November 6, 2016 by Fonty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 6, 2016 Author Share Posted November 6, 2016 Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. The question is a bit redundant at the moment, anyway, but forewarned is forearmed, or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 (diynot.com seems to fit the bill reasonably nicely ) My latest search: fairly large, damp-proof/dirt-proof storage for stuff - including paper products - in in a garage. Any suggestions welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneMarriott Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Is the garage yours and does it have an electric socket? If so I recommend getting a dehumidifier. We store a huge amount of stuff, including books and ballet programmes in our garage (there's just enough room to squeeze a car in as well) and the humidifier does a wonderful job of keeping damp at bay. Dirt-proof containers are easier to obtain when damp is no longer a problem. Good luck. I also recommend decluttering, or I would if only we could get round to doing it ourselves ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 B&Q do garden boxes which may be suitable. https://www.diy.com/search?term=garden+storage 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 20, 2023 Author Share Posted July 20, 2023 Anne: boy, does it have electric sockets (and strip lights)! But the whole place needs rewiring before I'd risk using them. Thanks for the suggestion, and to Jan too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted September 4, 2023 Author Share Posted September 4, 2023 Good grief. I hadn't realised it was *quite* that long ago that I'd first asked about this! I'll move some other related posts into this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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