Moisture Control in Garment Storage

Impact of Uncontrolled Humidity

Moisture can cause significant issues for garment exporters worldwide, making moisture control in garment storage crucial to eliminate bad odors and prevent the growth of fungi and mold. During the manufacturing and packaging processes, garments absorb moisture, leading to unpleasant odors, and the development of fungi, mold, and mildew during storage and long transit periods. Ensuring a moisture-controlled environment for packaging and storing garments is essential to maintain product integrity and minimize the risk of client rejection.

Consequences of High Humidity

● Odor Development : Excess moisture in garments can lead to the development of bad odors, making the products unsellable.

● Fungi and Mold Growth : High humidity levels foster the growth of fungi, mold, and mildew, which can damage the garments and pose health risks.

● Client Rejection : Garments that develop odors or mold during transit are likely to be rejected by clients, leading to significant financial losses for exporters.

● Quality Degradation : Persistent moisture can degrade the quality of garments, making them less appealing to consumers and damaging the brand’s reputation.

Additional Effects

Moisture damage in garment storage areas can lead to a range of additional issues, including:

● Increased Maintenance Costs : Continuous issues with mold and odors may require frequent cleaning and maintenance of storage facilities.

● Health Hazards : Mold and fungi can pose health risks to workers handling the garments and to end consumers.

● Economic Losses : Rejected shipments and damaged goods can result in substantial economic losses for garment exporters.

Causes of Uncontrolled Humidity

 

The primary causes of excess humidity in garment storage and packaging areas include:

● Environmental Conditions : During processing, packaging, and transit, garments often encounter warm and moist air, leading to moisture absorption.

● Sealed Packaging : Moisture absorbed by garments is sealed inside polythene packaging, exacerbating humidity issues.

● Temperature Fluctuations : As shipping containers move through different climates, temperature changes cause garments to release moisture, leading to condensation inside the packaging.

● Inadequate Ventilation : Poor ventilation in storage facilities can elevate humidity levels.

● Improper Sealing : Inadequate sealing of packaging materials can allow external moisture to infiltrate.

Recommendation

 

To prevent moisture-related issues in garment storage and packaging areas, it is recommended to:

● Maintain Controlled Humidity Levels : Ensure that the relative humidity in storage and packaging areas is kept below 40% to prevent moisture absorption.

● Use Dehumidification : Implement dehumidification solutions to remove excess moisture from the air in storage and packaging areas.

● Ensure Proper Ventilation : Improve ventilation in storage facilities to reduce humidity levels.

● Seal Packaging Properly : Ensure that packaging materials are adequately sealed to prevent external moisture from entering.

Solution

Josem provides advanced solutions to control moisture and ensure the quality of garments during storage and transit. Our approach includes:

● Dehumidification : Garments are stored in a dry room under dehumidified conditions for 4-5 hours at 35 ± 5% RH at a temperature slightly above ambient to remove surface moisture.

● Controlled Packing Environment: Dried garments are then packed in a room with an RH of 35 ± 5% at ambient temperature. Air conditioners are used to maintain the temperature for the comfort of workers.