Ventilation is the movement of air through a space, replacing stale, moist air with fresher air so that moisture can escape. GOV.UK’s damp guidance puts it simply: where a home is inadequately ventilated, moisture in the air can’t escape and is more likely to cause condensation. In storage, the air that matters most is the air moving around and between your belongings.
At Wigwam
Our units are clean, dry and secure, and our indoor units are purpose-built inside our buildings, out of the wind and rain. The airflow around your things is easy to get right when you pack, and it’s one of the best protections against damp:
- leave a small gap between your belongings and the walls;
- keep things off the floor on a pallet, boards or a layer of sturdy boxes;
- leave gaps around and between stacks rather than packing the unit wall to wall;
- use breathable covers, such as blankets or dust sheets, rather than sealing furniture or fabric in plastic. Plastic is fine for the move, but take it off or loosen it once things are in place;
- leave the open end of a mattress bag or sofa cover loose so air can reach inside.
Airflow moves moisture on, but it can’t remove moisture you pack in, so make sure everything is clean and completely dry before it goes into your unit.
Why it matters
Air that can’t move lets moisture sit against surfaces, where it can turn into condensation, a musty smell or mould. Conservation advice for textiles warns against plastic garment bags for exactly this reason: there’s no air circulation, which can encourage moisture to build up.
Questions about storing something sensitive? Call us on 0800 2545585.
Related terms
Related questions
- How do I stop clothes going musty in a storage unit?
- Who is responsible if mould appears in my storage unit?
- How should I store a mattress in a storage unit?
Further reading