Mold and mildew growth during storage and shipping are common challenges for manufacturers worldwide. Contamination from their spores can easily make an entire lot or shipment unusable, leading to financial loss and product waste. As a result, it’s essential to know how to prevent mold growth proactively.
5 Methods for Avoiding Mold in Packages
The following steps can help you prevent mold from growing in your packages:
1. Use Desiccants to Limit Moisture
Once goods leave your production or storage facility, your environmental control ends. They may be subject to warm, salty air in ocean transport or making their journeys in the back of a hot tractor-trailer. Both options can lead to condensation buildup inside. The resulting high moisture levels provide an ideal environment for promoting mold growth.
Adding absorbent desiccant packets to your package can help prevent mold growth within. These packets contain drying agents to attract excess moisture. Common desiccants include silica gel and bentonite clay, which are highly absorbent. Each has advantages and disadvantages that may make one a preferred option in a given situation.
2. Pack Liquids Separately
Shipping liquid packages with dry goods requires a well-developed packaging strategy — keeping the latter from taking on moisture if the former is damaged is imperative. Vibrations during handling, road or rail transport can easily result in a leak. Plus, expansion and contraction during temperature changes can cause the liquids to damage their packaging and create more significant spills.
The best solution is to ship them separately to safeguard against a wet transit environment and prevent the entire lot from suffering damage. Some manufacturers can provide custom solutions to protect the dry goods from a leak or spill if the products must share a shipment.
3. Use Plastic or Shrink-Wrap to Protect Cloth
Cloth goods are more vulnerable to mold than many other products. Natural fibers such as linen and cotton are even more susceptible than synthetic materials.
Many manufacturers package cloth goods with plastic or shrink wrap for mold prevention. Solutions like commercial poly bags or sheeting help provide a barrier against moisture building up in storage, shipping containers, rail cars and truck trailers.
4. Ensure Your Package Is Dry Before Shipping
Products that are still wet when packaged can introduce and retain excess moisture in the shipping environment, an issue compounded by enclosed packaging. The warm air and darkness present in many transit methods combined with the moisture create an ideal situation for mold growth.
Consider adding a cost-effective solution like humidity indicator cards to packaged products, especially if they’re headed for storage before distribution. Doing so lets your team know at a glance if there’s too much moisture present.
5. Use Faster Shipping Methods if Necessary
Using a faster transportation method may be the best option for shipping ultrasensitive goods or products where freshness is crucial, such as food and beverages. The safety, confidence, reputational protection and customer satisfaction your company gains can help justify extra costs.
Contact Edco for Package Protection Solutions
Edco Supply Corporation is a trusted partner of packaging solutions for today’s most demanding applications. We carry a complete lineup of protective products for numerous industries, including packaging that meets stringent military specifications. Our huge inventory, exceptional service, fast turnaround times, and small-lot or custom solutions set us apart.
Contact an expert for product advice, or request a personalized quote today.
