Small compact home safes – How to keep your home safe mold-free or mildew-free

A small home safe such as the Diplomat Data & Document Safe DS1530EN can protect cash, jewellery, important documents and other expensive items against burglary, theft, fire and damage. The purpose of having a small home safe is to keep all your valuables protected against unfortunate incidents, such as fire and theft. But, it is also important to keep your items stored in your home safe free from mold and mildew damage that can occur within the safe.

For example coins, jewellery, firearms, paper documents and other objects, when exposed to mold, they can lose their value. Excess humidity or trapped moisture in a safe creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. This excess moisture can cause fading of paper documents and the pages to stick to each other, jewellery & coins to tarnish and other surfaces to deteriorate. Also film negatives or computer data can break down when exposed to high humidity levels for too long. Even firearms will start to rust and corrosion will form on the metal parts, as well as deteriorate the wooden components.

Solutions how to minimize moisture in your small home safe

Tips for preventing mold in a small safe.

1. The easiest way to help prevent moisture in your small safe is to open and air your home safe out about every two to three weeks for approximately 20 minutes, but remember how often you should air out your home safe can vary depending on how full your safe is. For example, it is suggested that a smaller home safe that is full with items, should be opened and aired out more than a large home safe that is only half full.

2. For items such as documents, valuable coins, jewellery and other delicate items, it is recommended to store them in airtight containers before storing them in a small home safe.

3. When considering a safe location to install your home safe, make sure you store it in a dry area of your home and avoid high humid areas such as basements.

4. Make sure that all the items that you place in your home safe are dry, before storing them inside the safe and also ensure the airtight fire resisting seal on the safe is intact.

5. If you have a larger home safe or live in an area with high humidity levels you may consider using an electric dehumidifier inside your large home safe. A dehumidifier contains a desiccant material that absorbs excess moisture.

6. Other methods to help minimize moisture in a small home safe are:

a. The use of silica gel packets are an effective and proven method in absorbing moisture that have a high affinity to water. Silica gel bags are often recommended to be used in fireproof safes for home and fire resistant filing cabinets. The silica gel absorbs moisture and can be used over and over again, but it is advisable to remove it at least once a year from the safe and dry it in direct sunlight for about 4 to 6 hours.

b. Common known mothball make a good moisture absorbent, but they contain toxic chemicals, so always wash your hands thoroughly after handling. Keep in mind moth balls give off an odour which may penetrate certain items inside your small home safe. Put a few of them in a container and place them inside the safe.

c. Baking soda is another option being a sodium bicarbonate (this is a baking soda). Not only does baking soda absorb moisture, but it also acts as a deodorant at the same time. Therefore, this is an effective method to eliminate odour or mildew that has occurred from prior dampness already inside your safe.

7. Even dry rice is another preventative idea to absorb moisture. It is known for its moisture absorbing properties, whilst not containing any harmful chemicals within it. Dry rice has been a proven method of absorbing moisture in such things as mobile phones and other electrical items that have been saturated in water. If you decide to use this option it is suggested that the rice be replaced every 4 to 6 months, so to keep maximum dryness within the safe.

You may choose to use a damp rid or moisture absorbent product that contains calcium chloride crystals which are known for drawing moisture from the surrounding air. It is an effective way of drying out a damp safe. Many products containing calcium chloride can be found in the cleaning section of most grocery stores. 

What to do if your home safe has become moldy

If you notice mold or musty smell in your small safe remove all the contents from the safe and air them out in a dry area with good air circulation then clean the safe with a bleach-based cleaner to kill the mold. Make sure all items are dry before storing them back in the safe. Also check your safe for places that may have allowed moisture to enter such as a broken fire seal around the safe door.

To speak to a safe and vault expert for free advice, call 1300 764 971 or email sales@safeguardgroup.com.au or visit our contact page and click into your state.