Home Safe Moisture Control

[Drake3287]

Okay, I realize this isn't so much a financial question but I assume many of you have home safes that you keep valuables in including important paper work. I bought one of those Costco Sentry safes's 9 months ago and it came with those gel packets that are suppose to absorb moisture which of course could damage what's inside the safe.

I don't open the safe often but today I opened it to replace some insurance papers and I found that most of my various papers and Passports have the start of mold growing and obvious moisture. Luckily I was able to catch it in time and wipe everything off. Besides these gel packets you can buy to control moisture is there anything that works better? I read that many people use a half full jar of rice to absorb it plus I guess there's the Baking Soda route but supposedly that's only good for a month. Anyone have experience in dealing with moisture issues in a safe? Thanks.

[corn18]

A reusable desiccant works. I have one in my safe. I have to plug it in every few months to dry it out but it has been keeping my important stuff dry for over a decade.

[~bs]

Goldenrod and reusable decissesant sp?

https://www.amazon.com/GoldenRod-Dehumidifier-Installation-Operation-Prevention/dp/B07W8JFN2F

[disneysteve]

I know nothing about safes but there is a great product called Damprid. It comes in various sizes and forms and does a great job of sucking the moisture out of the air. Look it up on Amazon. I see no reason why it wouldn't work well in a safe.

That said, shouldn't a safe have a good seal on it? How is the moisture getting in there? Is there a moisture problem in the room where the safe is located? Maybe what you really need is a dehumidifier in the area.

[Drake3287]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at a few of those, hopefully I can find something that doesn't have to be replaced every month or so. It also needs to be something that doesn't need a power source. I guess with typical moisture levels found in room air is enough to cause moisture problems unless you live in a dry climate like Arizona.

[kork13]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at a few of those, hopefully I can find something that doesn't have to be replaced every month or so. It also needs to be something that doesn't need a power source. I guess with typical moisture levels found in room air is enough to cause moisture problems unless you live in a dry climate like Arizona.

Fact. Part of the problem is that because the safes ARE sealed, the air simply stagnates in there, and readily fosters growth of whatever nasties happened to be present when it was closed.

[disneysteve]

Fact. Part of the problem is that because the safes ARE sealed, the air simply stagnates in there, and readily fosters growth of whatever nasties happened to be present when it was closed.

That makes sense. So it isn't that moisture is getting in. It's that moisture can't get out.

[~bs]

Fact. Part of the problem is that because the safes ARE sealed, the air simply stagnates in there, and readily fosters growth of whatever nasties happened to be present when it was closed.

Because people are notoriously poor at monitoring the contents of the safe, that's the reason why active dehumidifiers like the goldenrod, which requires no maintenance, are the best. IMO Additionally, most safes have features to allow plugs or other electrical connections to be inserted anyways. These things have been tried and true for decades.


GoldenRod® heats to a surface temperature of less than 150° F (which is almost too warm to hold) and circulates warm, dry air throughout an enclosure on a 24 hour basis. This increases the temperature of the air inside to several degrees above the ambient outside temperature. Expansion of the heated air forces the moist air outside through the vents or loose fitting doors leaving the dry air inside.

[james.hendrickson]

GoldenRod® heats to a surface temperature of less than 150° F (which is almost too warm to hold) and circulates warm, dry air throughout an enclosure on a 24 hour basis. This increases the temperature of the air inside to several degrees above the ambient outside temperature. Expansion of the heated air forces the moist air outside through the vents or loose fitting doors leaving the dry air inside.

You know, that kind of sounds like a fire hazard.

[corn18]

This is the type of thing I am talking about. You plug it in outside the safe for about an hour and it dries out the desiccant. Then you put it in the safe and it lasts for a few months. Then you take it out and plug it in for an hour to dry out the desiccant. So it isn't plugged in while in the safe. Damp rid works great as well. RV folks use that when they store their camper for long periods. Just isn't reusable.