5 Things You Can Put in Small Home Safes to Keep Moisture Out
While Australia enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year, it can also turn very humid, making the heat almost unbearable. During these times, one of the common problems that homeowners face is preventing mould or mildew on important or valuable items, especially inside small home safes.
If you’re storing your safe in a humid part of your home, or if you live in a generally humid environment, there are several items you can place inside your personal safe to prevent the accumulation of moisture.
Items That Prevent Moisture Build Up in Small Home Safes
1. Silica Gel Packets
You can easily find silica gel packets in craft and hobby stores. Alternatively, silica gel packets are also included when you buy leather handbags or shoes. They have a high affinity to water, making them effective at absorbing moisture even after repeated use in fireproof safes for home.
2. Uncooked Rice
Using dry rice is another neat trick to prevent moisture build up in small home safes. You may have heard of them being used in getting rid of moisture in mobile phones and larger devices that have been soaked in water. They are equally effective for keeping your home safes dry; plus, they don’t contain any harmful chemicals.
3. Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate (A.K.A. baking soda) has moisture-absorbing properties. They’re also commonly used to eliminate unwanted smells. This makes them a good option for getting rid of the odour of mildew if your safe has already suffered from mildew.
4. Moth Balls
Mothballs may be good for preventing moisture, but they’re also toxic, especially when ingested. Make sure to use them with caution. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling them and make sure you keep them away from children’s reach.
Furthermore, mothballs can have a strong odour, which may penetrate the items within your home security safe.
5. Calcium Chloride-Based Products
There are several calcium chloride products that can be bought in the cleaning supply section of most grocery stores. Once the container starts filling up with water, pour out the liquid and refill the container with more crystals. If you’re using disposable versions, simply discard the product when the crystals have disappeared.
Best practices that minimise moisture in safes:
Aside from using various moisture-absorbent items, there are other things you can do to prevent mildew in the interior of your safe:
- Air out the safe every 2 to 3 weeks, for 20 minutes each time.
- Dehumidify the safe every 3-4 days.
- Avoid storing the safe in high-humidity areas, such as basements.
- Keep valuables in airtight containers before storing them in the safe.
- Ensure that the airtight seal on the safe is intact and working as intended.
- Turn on a light bulb inside your safe (if you don’t have a humidifier).
- Check that all your items are dry before storing them in the safe.
Takeaway
While some effort is needed to prevent mildew from accumulating inside small home safes, it is well worth it if you want to preserve the condition of your valuables and important documents. As soon as you notice moisture building up on the walls or shelves, place one or more of the items mentioned in the list above and you’re good to go.