I have fabric, that I had stored in plastic containers. Some I placed in small baggies, left open for air. I have been reading that this is not a good way to store fabric. I moved it to a some closed drawers.
Where I live, we get lots of dust. High desert. How do you all feel I would be better storing fabric?

This is a good question. I am curious as to the answer, also. On another post, I think someone said use cotton pillow cases. I wonder if there is anything else out there. Maybe pillow cases and closed bookcases.

My pal who owns a quilt shop had some old samples stored in plastic tubs. They molded! No idea where the moisture came from. She now stores everything in cotton pillow cases. She buys cheap, white, cotton ones from the dollar store.

I store mine in those plastic boxes. My sewing room has lots of light, so storing it in the boxes keeps it from fading. I also have a wood furnace and we have dust everywhere from it. So the boxes keep my fabric dust free. I have no idea how storing it in the plasic will longterm affect it, but I worry more about the damage from fading and the dust.

I know there are things you can buy to keep closets dry, and most pill bottles come with small bags of whatever it is that keeps them from moisture.

Seems that somewhere I saw some bags of a chemical that would keep tightly closed plastic containers dry and mold free. Can't remember where at this time. Brain fog....

Should anyone find this, please let us all know.

I have had fabric in plastic totes for years and have had no problems with it.

I would be more concerned storing the fabric in a wood drawer where the fabric touches the wood. Over time it can stain the fabrics.

I store in plastic tubs, I pull them out and check them periodically, and haven't had any problems yet :D:D:D

I have stored fabric in plastic totes for years; never had a problem with it ; except the cover not fitting tightly on some. But I visit them often to check on them.

Mine are stored in plastic totes under the daybed in my sewing room. I haven't had a problem , but I usually leave the lids askew so they get air.

I store my fabric in a long shallow plastic bin with wheels. It slides nicely under my cutting table. The lid folds up in the middle to allow easy access to either end of the bin, and its so stuffed full that the lid pushes up in the middle a bit and allows air circulation.

if you have air or heat on most of the time it should keep the humidity at bay, make sure nothing is the least bit damp when you put it in those plastic tubs. I live in the extremely humid south Texas, when I was a kid we didn't have a/c and food and laundry were always mildewing and molding, life is better now!

I store in plastic bins with very loose fitting lids. I do live in a dry area and the bins are in the house. I do take them out often to play. LOL I did have more problems with storing in drawers eventhough I lined them. There were lines on the creases with some fabrics.

Hehehehe On the visiting. It seems my fabrics get to see my face atleast monthly if not more frequently.

Pillowslips work well for me. They keep out the dust, and are easy to use. Also the white tissue paper; just wrap fabric in it.
Mariah.

I store mine in a cabinet.It is Formica so no worries about coming in contact with wood.I shut the doors to keep light out.Air circulates so I don't worry about mold.

Mine is stored (for moving) in plastic bins. I'm considering drilling a few small holes in the sides of the bins just for air circulation, as they will stay in the bins once I get moved. I previously just had them stored on open shelves, but we all know that isn't a good idea. I had some fading and dust to contend with.

First time I've ever had so much organization to my fabric. :-)

It is called silica and your shoes will also mold and finish will get sticky and come off if left in boxes of any kind (per Brown shoe group Naurlizer shoes)

We live in the relatively dry Central Valley of CA. I have had fabric in plastic zip top bags for over 4 years, and it's fine. However, I have heard of problems with moisture build up in other climates. Moisture eats fabrics. I also store on open shelves. Since I wash all my fabrics before cutting, any dust that has accumulated washes away. But there's not much at all.

I store all my fabrics in plastic storage bins and then the bins are placed in a metal storage shed. With Hawaii's high humidity, this still works without mildew so far. I've stored some of the fabrics in these bins and storage shed for years and they still look good.

Mine are stored in plastic tote but I visit with them often so they seem to be OK.

You can also put one of those little packets that comes in a shoebox with a new pair of shoes.

Me too! Even have some in the garage. It ends up smelling musty after a few years but it's quite usable after washing.

Why not toss silica jell packs in the bottom of the tote. They will keep the moister out of the totes.

That's a great idea. I had been buying pillowcases from those linen discount stores and they've gone out of business. Some times I have even given the quilt in a pillow case so it will get stored correctly.

I have been storing in cedar chest for years till I ran out of space, no its plastic boxes with silica packets inside, never had mold, and I am in South Fla, HUMID! You could try wrapping individual pieces in white tissue such as comes with clothing, and storing on shelves. In order to identify, photocopy piece of fabric, on back side write the amount of fabric in cut, this way you don't have to unwrap to see or measure

I also store in plastic tubs. Some have been there forever. No problems here.

I store mine in the plastic tubs in the basement and never had a mold problem. But they are not really airtight. But I do leave a zip lock bag open a bit for air circulation, as I have found that the bags so seem to be airtight (I suppose for good food storage!) and they pack better if some of the air can get out.

Have your hubby drill some holes in the top of the boxes and maybe a few in the top of the sides to let the boxes breath. and let moisture out.

Do you mean Damp Rid? It works best, but you do have to empty the collection container from time to time.
KInd Regards,
MaryAnna

DEFINITELY NOT DAMP RID! These are the little white packets about 1 inch by 1 1/2 inch that say silica gel and often come in shoe boxes, sometimes purses, they absorb moisture and keep stuff from molding!

Mine are in the plastic bins in the cabinet. Not a problem yet and some of them have been in there a loooong time. I am not a big fan of baggies though and I don't have a good reason. Just ain't. From time to time I go pet my fabric. It makes me happy and gives my stash a chance to come out and play.

Mine are in plastic tubs some have been in there for years and they are in the garage have had no problem

ME TOO AND I HAVE A WALL FULL OF THEM..NO PROBLEMS AND I CAN OPEN THE DOORS AND SEE MOST OF ALL THE FABRIC..AT LEAST COLORS..EACH CABINET HAS A DIFFERENT COLOR IN IT...MAKES IT EASY FOR ME. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM STORING AND I HAVE USED IT SEVERAL YEARS IN MY BASEMENT..OF COURSE IT IS HEATED AND AIRCONDITIONED..NO DAMP PROBLEMS (I AM JUST A LITTLE SPOILED BUT THEN I AM GETTING OLD TOO).
CAROL

I live in the high desert of CA with lots of dust too AND sunshine. I've been storing my fabrics in plastic tubs with no problems.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

I have 9 18 gallon size plastic tubs of fabric that have been stored like that since 2003 when I had to move. Still have no place to spread everything out--working on that but not done yet. These tubs have fold over plastic lids so they are not air tight--maybe that is the difference.
I like them because they can be stacked also.

It is just a pain to look for fabric stored this way.
Maybe someday things will be better!!!

Chris

I use plastic tubs for some fabrics and have had no problems with moisture or mold. But I use cotton pillowcase covers with zippers for all my quilts. I had them in space bags - a big big no no! After you place them in the pillowcase covers it is okay to place them in plastic containers - preferably in a dry area.

ditto for me

This is how I store my fabric too, never had moldy fabric.
My house has no central air or heat, so everything gets dusty quickly.

You can find this stuff at an RV store! I've gotten it for my dad.

I store mine in plastic tubs too... however... I do make a point of going in and every six months refolding the fabric and switching the order from top to bottom. First it keeps me fresh on what I have so I don't make duplicate purchases and second it reduces any "exposure" that may happen as a result of light and potential leaks from the top. IF that makes sense?!