Storing Down in Damp Environments

[Kaerous]

I own a pretty small home. With my wife and I, a dog, and two cats, things are getting pretty cramped. My office is beginning to overflow with my camping gear, computers, books, electronics, etc. I've been toying with the idea of moving the majority of my camping gear into my basement, which is rather large. It's currently our laundry room and storage area. We have a sump pump, and don't have any noticeable trouble with moisture, but nevertheless I fear my down quilts (and anything else) could be ruined. Has anyone had any trouble with storing their down in basements? I may get a dehumidifier just in case to eliminate any moisture, and to also gauge how much is present.

[Deadwood]

I don't store my down gear in my "shop" but had a bad moisture (humidity) problem. Things like the handles on my screwdrivers and knives, and shop towels would get mold on them. I put a dehumidifier in there and that solved the problem. I was amazed at the amount of moisture removed from the unconditioned room. Especially in the spring and summer. You might try a dehumidifier and leave some old t-shirts or stuff sacks there to see how they survive before placing your good down there.

[OnTheMove]

Your circumstances sound familiar and from experience I'd STRONGLY recommend a dehumidifier if you go the storage route down there,...even then, for long term, you'd do well to keep the items in some type of reasonably airtight container, or sealed up in a plastic bag.

I've also got HG quilts, and even though there isn't a serious moisture issue I wouldn't risk storing them in the basement if it weren't for our dehumidifier.

[NHWhites]

You probably want to use a dehumidifier regardless of storing down in the basement if you have moisture issues. I'd echo the sealed storage bin idea if you put your quilts down there. I might need to go the same route as well in the future

[Sunndog]

Put your wife's clothes in the basement and your down in the wardrode, sorted...........ask me why i don't do this meself

[bkrgi]

Is it possible to build a suitable storage room for your gear in the basement using build technics that seal out moisture and insulate then back that up with some heat to keep moisture at bay ie keep the space a 72*..... I could see a dehumidifier working overtime in a normal basement environment depending on how well heated the space is.....more heat will drive moisture out and or allow the dehumidifier to work better.
Personally I would never seal my gear in plastic totes or bags unless vacuum sealed...I prefer to let things breathe

[Kaerous]

Put your wife's clothes in the basement and your down in the wardrode, sorted...........ask me why i don't do this meself

I couldn't pull that off, but it got me thinking. We have two closets in our bedroom - one small and one walk-in (decide for yourself which one was mine). Oddly enough the wifey forced me to move all of my clothes into a small part of her walk-in. I think she had plans of knocking out a wall and turning the smaller closet into additional area for the room (convinced her otherwise). That being said, I could move the accumulated junk from that closet downstairs and turn it into my gear storage.

Brilliant! Thanks guys!