Damp in storage

Short answer: Clothes do best in dry, cool conditions. Above seventy percent humidity, odour and marks begin to appear, and a tight box with a sachet of desiccant solves it cheaply and without fuss.

Dry and cool is best

Clothes that sit still for a long time do best where the air is dry and the temperature steady. Warmth and damp together create the best conditions for odour. A cool, dry wardrobe or room is the safest choice, whether for one season or for things you rarely use.

Seventy percent is the limit

Below seventy percent humidity, very little happens. Above it, odour starts, and over time marks can appear in the fabric. A small hygrometer in the room quickly shows where you are. Then you know whether to do something extra or whether the clothes can stay as they are.

A tight box keeps damp out

Cardboard absorbs moisture, while plastic with a tight lid does not. A cardboard box draws damp from the air and passes it to the clothes, and it goes soft at the bottom. A plastic box with a well fitting lid keeps the damp out. It is the simplest step you can take.

Desiccant costs almost nothing

A sachet of silica gel in the box keeps the air dry for months. It soaks up any moisture that still gets in or was sealed in when the box was closed. Replace the sachet when it feels heavy, or dry it in the oven and use it again.

Pack only fully dry clothes

The most common mistake is packing clothes that are not fully dry. They may feel dry on the surface, but seams and waistbands can hold moisture. Leave them hanging an extra day. This applies especially to bamboo underwear for men with an elastic waistband.

Place the box with care

Put the boxes where air can move around them. Avoid placing them against a cold outer wall, where condensation can form. A floor can also get damp, so a shelf or a few battens under the box is a good idea. Small changes in placement help more than you might think.

Check now and then

Open the boxes now and then and smell the contents. If there is a musty smell, damp has got in somewhere. Then wash and fully dry the clothes and add a fresh sachet of desiccant. Thick pieces like a bamboo hoodie for men hold the most moisture and should be checked first.

Small things that are easy to forget

Socks and underwear are often packed without being checked. Yet small pieces can give the whole box an odour if they are damp. Put them in a small bag of their own, so they are easy to find. If you need new ones, have a look at bamboo socks for men.

Frequently asked questions

When does damp become a problem

Above seventy percent humidity. Beyond that, odour and marks begin to appear in textiles that sit still in a box or on a shelf for months.

Which box keeps damp out best

A plastic box with a tight lid. Cardboard boxes absorb moisture themselves and pass it on to the contents.

Does desiccant help

Yes. A sachet of silica gel keeps the air dry for months and costs almost nothing. Replace it when it feels heavy, or dry it in the oven.