How to Store Holiday Decorations Without Growing Mold

Tis the season to unpack those holiday decorations - but before you do, take a moment to check them for mold. Decorations stored in attics, basements, or garages are prime candidates for mold growth, especially if they were packed away damp or stored in cardboard boxes. A musty smell when you open that storage bin is not just unpleasant - it could mean you are about to spread mold spores throughout your home.

Why Holiday Decorations Are a Mold Risk

The way most people store holiday decorations creates ideal conditions for mold. Cardboard boxes absorb moisture and break down over time. Attics experience extreme temperature swings that cause condensation. Basements are notoriously damp. Add in fabric items like tree skirts, stockings, and wreaths, and you have got all the ingredients mold needs to thrive.

How to Check Decorations Before Using Them

Before bringing those decorations into your living space, give them a thorough inspection.

Visual Inspection

• ✓Look for fuzzy or powdery growth on surfaces, which may be white, green, black, or gray
• ✓Check for dark spots or discoloration on fabric items
• ✓Examine the inside of storage containers for moisture or condensation marks

Smell Test

A musty, earthy odor is a telltale sign of mold even when you cannot see it. If decorations smell musty, do not use them until you have cleaned them thoroughly or determined they need to be discarded.

What to Do If You Find Mold

• Fabric items with visible mold should generally be discarded - mold is very difficult to fully remove from porous materials
• Hard plastic or glass ornaments can be cleaned with a mixture of water and mild detergent, then dried completely
• Artificial trees with mold in the branches should be discarded - cleaning every needle is impractical
• Natural items like pinecones or dried flowers with mold should be thrown away

Proper Storage Containers

The container you use makes a huge difference in whether your decorations stay mold-free.

Best Choices

• Airtight plastic bins with secure latches or rubber seals - these prevent moisture from seeping in
• Clear containers so you can identify contents without opening
• Bins specifically designed for holiday storage with ornament dividers

Avoid

• Cardboard boxes - they absorb moisture and create a breeding ground for mold
• Fabric storage bags unless they are used inside airtight containers
• Containers with cracks or missing lids

Add Moisture-Absorbing Products

Even in good containers, adding desiccants provides extra protection against humidity that leads to mold growth.

• Silica gel packets - save these from product packaging or buy them in bulk
• Activated charcoal wrapped in breathable cloth - a natural dehumidifier
• Baking soda in a small container with holes in the lid - also neutralizes odors

Dry Everything Completely Before Storing

This is perhaps the most important rule. Any moisture left on decorations will become a mold problem by next year.

• Let outdoor decorations dry completely after the last rain or snow before packing
• If storing a real tree stand, clean and dry it thoroughly
• Fabric items should be completely dry to the touch - if in doubt, air them out for an extra day
• Wipe down artificial trees and garlands if they collected any moisture

Choose the Right Storage Location

Where you store decorations matters as much as how you store them.

Better Options

• Climate-controlled spaces maintain stable temperature and humidity
• Interior closets away from exterior walls
• Spare rooms or finished basements

Avoid If Possible

• Unfinished basements - too damp
• Attics - extreme temperature swings cause condensation
• Garages - not climate controlled and prone to humidity

If you must use an attic or basement, take extra precautions with airtight containers and desiccants. Consider placing containers on pallets or shelves to keep them off the floor and away from potential water intrusion.

Check Your Storage Space First

Before putting decorations away for the season, inspect your storage area for existing mold problems.

• ✓Bring a flashlight and look for signs of water damage or discoloration on walls and floors
• ✓Check for that telltale musty smell
• ✓Look for condensation or moisture on surfaces

If you find mold in your storage area, address it before storing anything. Otherwise, you will be unpacking moldy decorations next year.

This Year is Next Year is Prevention

Taking a few extra minutes to store decorations properly this January will save you from musty surprises next November. Your future self - and your respiratory system - will thank you.