The only plastic that does not outgas is the hard brittle vintage plastic. The totes that are made today are softer, and do outgas. I do not think that the outgassing will hurt the fabric, other than the fact that there is no air circulation. Have not had a problem in humid Delaware YET. (Gotcha sentence). My totes of fabric (only 6 or 7) are stored in rooms where there is central air conditioning. I store my favorite fabric on shelves in a closet wrapped on forms, it makes it easier for me to "shop" from my closet rather than from my lqs.
Originally Posted by
Prism99
Hard plastic bins do not outgas, so are safe for fabric storage. You just want to be sure they are not so airtight that moisture becomes trapped inside; a little air circulation is good. Some of my fabric has been in bins for years with no damage, so I don't think moisture is a problem in my area. Quilters who live in highly humid areas may want to drill holes in their plastic bins so there is a little more air circulation in them.