Keeping Your Photos Safe in Your Storage Unit

Many people hesitate to put precious photos in a self-storage unit , for fear that they will be damaged by humidity. In reality, storage units can be completely safe for photos, as long as you take the proper steps to protect them. Follow this advice to keep your treasured photos safe in storage for years to come.

Choose Climate Controlled Storage

Humidity is the main risk to photos in storage units, but you can reduce the chances of humidity damage by renting a climate-controlled storage unit. In climate-controlled units, temperatures are kept at a steady level, so humidity levels stay under control. With stable temperatures and humidity levels, you don’t have to worry about mold or other kinds of water damage putting your photos in jeopardy.

Use a Safe Container

Instead of putting your photos in photo albums or plastic sandwich bags, look for bags and containers that have passed the Photographic Activity Test, or PAT. Storage options that are PAT rated are acid free and made from materials that will not harm your photos, even when temperatures change. Inside the PAT-rated container, avoid using rubber bands or paperclips on your photos. Instead, stack photos facing away from each other in a neat pile. If your photos are facing each other, the colors can bleed, especially if the inside of the container gets too warm.

Store Photos Off the Floor

Once your photos are packed for storage, don’t put the containers directly on the floor of your unit. Put wood pallets on the floor to elevate them, or consider installing shelves in the unit for extra storage. Keeping photos off the ground will protect them from moisture and reduce the risk of pests infiltrating your boxes.

The climate-controlled storage units in Long Beach at POUCH Self Storage are ideal for protecting your important belongings, including family photos. To find out more about storage facilities and our unit sizes, please call us today at (800) 378-4598.