Summer is in full swing in the Southeast, and as temperatures rise, your standard storage practices may need to be adjusted. High temperatures and rising humidity levels impact the strength of your storage boxes. Luckily, our team at Express Packaging has all the tips you need to keep your products safe throughout the hottest season of the year.
Items at Risk in the Heat
The increased warmth and humidity of summer can pose a threat to certain items in storage. To ensure your products remain safe throughout the season, learn what items need protection during the summer months:
Temperature-Sensitive Medications
Extreme heat can damage or lower the effectiveness of medications sensitive to temperature.
Liquids
Heat can cause containers to crack or leak, potentially compromising your product or damaging other stored items.
Perishable Goods
Food and other perishable items should never be stored in non-climate-controlled packaging. This can lead to damaged products or even illness when your product is consumed.
Documents and Media
High temperatures and humidity can warp or cause mildew to grow on paper documents, vinyl records, and other media.
Wax-Based Items
Candles and other wax-based items can melt or become misshapen in hot temperatures.
Choosing the Right Box Material
When selecting the box you will use to send materials, pick one that will also hold up well in storage. Research the potential environments these boxes will encounter as the various thermal properties within boxes differ depending on the type of material used.
Thermal properties such as insulation and heat conduction are important to consider when storing in very hot or cold temperatures. Typical cardboard boxes have low thermal conductivity, meaning they can keep things cool when hot outside and vice versa.
The properties of cardboard prevent heat from transferring from one object to another. So, while these boxes do make for a good storage option, it is crucial to consider the product within them and exactly how hot the storage area may get.
If you want to keep a product as cool as possible when stored in an already hot area, you will want to avoid any reflective materials. Shiny, reflective materials come in contact with sunlight, likely amplifying and trapping the heat rather than expelling it.
If you need help deciding which box to choose for optimal summer protection, feel free to contact our Express Packaging experts! Our knowledgeable team can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs.
Keeping Heat and Humidity Down
One of the most important features you want to ensure is that your storage facility has a proper ventilation system. Fans and temperature-controlled units that allow for proper airflow can prevent mold and mildew from growing in hot and humid areas.
Mold is likely to occur if you store your cardboard boxes in warm, damp rooms. If mold is found on your boxes, not only may your product be affected or ruined, but the box’s overall strength and stability will be in jeopardy.
Ventilation and fans will help prevent mold growth by keeping warm, stagnant air away from the storage area. Another way to keep the heat down is to double-wrap or insulate all items that might be stored in less-than-optimal environments to keep them cool and protected.
Tips For Packing in the Summer
Keeping your belongings safe during the hot summer months requires innovative storage practices. Here are some essential tips from our Express Packaging experts:
Elevate Your Storage
If your storage area is prone to flooding, use pallets to elevate your boxes off the ground. This simple step provides a barrier against potential water damage.
Wrap It Up
Consider wrapping your boxes in plastic for added protection against dust, dirt, and even moisture. Layering plastic wrap between boxes can also create an extra layer of security.
Use Corrugated Cardboard
Box material matters! For summer storage, consider opting for corrugated cardboard boxes, which offer enhanced thermal insulation.
Ship With Express Packaging
Now that you know how to better protect your boxes this summer, you should feel confident that your precious cargo will remain unharmed all season long. If you’re ready to place your next order of custom cardboard boxes, contact the experts at Express Packaging!
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