The pillowcase storage trick expert uses to prevent mould and save cash

The first thing most of us do when we pack away items in storage is buy plastic tubs and vacuum-sealed bags, but there could be a much better option already sitting in your cupboard unused.

When professional organiser Narelle King from Simply Happy Organisation is working with a client she’ll first look at what they can reuse for storage from within the home before purchasing anything new.

For items that need storing at the top of a wardrobe where there is often the risk of mould because it’s a dark, enclosed space, she likes to reuse something made from natural fibres.

“I’ll suggest [older] doona covers or even pillowcases that we could put the things in so they’re at least going to be able to breathe,” she said.

“Just go through your linen cupboard and find any of the ones that are a bit old and you were thinking, ‘Oh, I might get rid of that’ – you can store anything in it.”

King recommends labelling each pillowcase or doona cover bag with the items you’ve stored inside it so you don’t have to go rifling through each one to find what you need later on.

When using fabric bags in the wardrobe make sure the items inside them and the bag itself are completely dry before putting them on the shelf to further prevent mould. Popping some moisture absorbers on the shelf will also help protect the items from the fungi.

Read more

Mould could be growing in your storage boxes and bags if you haven’t done this first

It’s not just pillowcases that can be used as storage bags, any sort of bag you have spare and empty works.

“The bags that you put suits in make great bags that you can place items in that you want to store away as well. I love to use those for Christmas items, which are going to be then put in a spot that you’re not going to maybe check until the end of the year, so there’s not as much air getting around and people aren’t getting into it throughout the year, so there’s more likelihood of mould building up in there,” she said.

For items that you’re not as worried about the risk of mould, another idea King shared is using Tupperware containers that have lost their lids for storage instead of throwing them away and buying new storage tubs. These would be great for organising a junk or makeup drawer.

Regardless of what you’re using to store your items in, it’s important to be mindful of the mould and dampness risks of the storage area you’re using. For a space like a garage, King prevents rising damp impacting her clients by raising the items off the ground.

“You could use a pallet or some wood to rest it on. We did use bricks actually the other week for something, and then we had wood going across it, so the things weren’t actually on the ground, and it also means that there can be natural airflow also going around it as well,” she said.