how to pack and store your child’s artwork

Posted on: 29 October 2016

Now that winter is approaching, it's time to put the RV into storage. While you're making the preparations, don't forget to get precautionary measures to prevent mold growth. If you thought that mold wouldn't be an issue because of the colder temperatures, you're mistaken. Unfortunately, mold can grow wherever – and whenever – darkness and moisture exist together. Here are three storage mistakes that can lead to mold growth in your RV.

Sealing the Refrigerator

When it comes to preventing mold growth in your RV, you need to pay close attention to your refrigerator. It doesn't take much moisture for you to develop a full-blown mold invasion inside the food compartment. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to keep mold out of the refrigerator this winter.

First, remove all the food. Second, wash the refrigerator and freezer compartments with a mild detergent solution using 1 gallon of warm water, ¼ cup of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons each of dish detergent and lemon juice. Third, use a soft cloth to dry the refrigerator and freezer compartments thoroughly and then allow them to air dry for several hours. Finally, leave the doors to both compartments open while the RV is in storage.

Using Total-Darkness Curtains

If you have total-darkness curtains in your RV, don't use them during the winter. While it might seem that the total darkness would prevent sun damage, it will also promote mold growth. You can prevent sun damage and mold growth at the same time by using your translucent daytime shades throughout the winter. The shades will allow a small amount of sunlight to enter during the day, which will prevent moisture build-up, while blocking the harmful heat that can damage your upholstery.

Closing Off the Ventilation

If you've got rooftop vents on your RV, you need to leave them open during the winter. The ventilation provided by the vents will prevent moisture build-up, which can lead to mold growth. Rooftop vents are designed to keep rain and snow out, which means you can provide your RV with the ventilation it needs without worrying about water seeping in through the open vents.

Now that the cold weather is settling in, it's time to put your RV away for the winter. While you're preparing your RV for storage, don't forget to protect it against mold growth. Use the tips described above to protect your RV against mold growth while it's in storage this winter. For more information, talk to a professional like United Moving and Storage.