Humidity and "Damp-Rid" . . .

[N.C. Wyeth]

I have a closet (approx. 3' x 3' in size) that never opens (and it's in my basement!), and I set one container of "Damp-Rid" inside, about waist-high, along with a recordable hydrometer (a VERY reliable and accurate one that gets re-calibrated bi-annually at work) . . .

The humidity has been pretty high (although it has stayed moderately cool) around here lately with all of the rain, but we have yet to get the real warmer and "muggy" weather associated with the Ohio Valley . . .

I have not opened the closet in almost five weeks, and my hydrometer had a "Low" reading of 42.3% RH, and a "High" reading of 49.8% RH over the entire period of time that has elapsed . . .

In the past, this has been typical of my experience with using only one container of "Damp-Rid" in this closet, even throughout the Summer months. Although the product literature states that it is designed to regulate RH at a constant 50%, I have found slightly better results continuously. I do have silica-gel that can be used in the closet, along with a dehumidifier in the general vicinity, but I have yet to administer use of either throughout this experiment.

Has anyone else tried "Damp-Rid" and had similar results?

[Paul R.]

N.C. You are on the rigth track. That's great! Just remember that ideally humidity should be a constant between 42%-45% (+ or - 1 degree). Humidity is all around you. It's on the floor and on the celling. When you open a door to a semi closed off room. Humidity rushs in at the same time the door is open. My items are in a type of room that you have. I have a dehumidifier running about 42-43%. I have a humidity gauge in the room and one in the storage area. I had open up both doors to carry something out of the room. (i didn't shut the door). After I returned about 10 minutes later. The humidity was 50%. I have the room humidifier running. When I came back to the room about a hour later it was 43%.
A product such as damp rid, or silica gell beads are only effective when they are totally dried. They are like little sponges. They can only absorb a certian amount of water. They need to be dried out again. Some silica gel beads turn a color when they have absorbed their water limit. They they should be dried out in an oven for about 5-8 minutes on very low heat. Then they are ready to us again. Hope this helps. Paul

[N.C. Wyeth]

Paul,

"Damp-Rid" is kind of cool - once it's absorbed all the humidity that it can, it's gone! It actually leaves the water in the bottom of the container for you to dispose of!

After I empty the water from the container, I place some fresh material into the top, and away I go . . .

My silica gel is a little different. It has those cute little "indicator beads" . . . you know the ones I'm taking about - blue to pink. I have to bake mine in an oven (I use a welding-rod oven at work that is set on 250 deg. F) for about 18-hours minimum to get the color change. They work just about as well as Damp-Rid, but they are much more difficult to regulate. Sometimes I get the RH down to as low as 30%, and sometimes I can't get it below 50% - the trouble I have with silica is that it seems too difficult to keep a REGULAR level of humidity. I know it's a great product, but for me, it's just so hard to keep a handle on the RH when I use it . . .

So much fun we're having being "whacky" over a little water . . . but so very important as well!

Brad

[Paul R.]

N.C. I know what you mean. It can drive one crazy. Humidity levels are hard to control in spring/summer. I would use your dehumidifier in the main part of the room, and the Damp Rid in your storage area. I would keep an eye on it. Paul

[Stahlhelm]

Speaking of hygrometers and humidity, have you ever noticed how the humidity level jumps upward, when you just hold a hygrometer anwhere near a human body? Of course, it makes perfect sense, but it's always pretty interesting to see such a fast change. So far, I haven't found a way to keep myself away from my collection.

Chris

[WhitePhantom]

lock it in a room and throw away the key!

Im still waiting for my digital hygrometer. Got it off eBay for 14 bucks and tis brand new lol

[Stahlhelm]

lock it in a room and throw away the key!

Im still waiting for my digital hygrometer. Got it off eBay for 14 bucks and tis brand new lol

Yes, that may be the only ironic solution to the human problem.

I do have a digital hygrometer myself, and it works wonderfully. It's well worth the investment. There's really nothing quite like being able to monitor the environmet that way. To see how sensitive it is, try putting your hand near it or picking it up for a moment.

Chris

[WhitePhantom]

Well i got my hygrometer in the mail today that i purchased off eBay. The humidity level is at 31% (when it was in my hand it went to 60%) and the temp is 22.4 degrees Celsius.

In an earlier post Paul mentioned items should be kept in 43-45% humidity. Will the humidity being at 31% damage the collection? What effect does low humidity have on medals? Also is there a way to raise the humidity levels to 43-45%?

I leave very close to a large lake so i assumed the humidity would've been much higher

EDIT: its been over an hour and the humidity is now at 28%

Thanks,



JR

[Paul R.]

JR. First of all make sure it is not on or near any object at least 8 inches. take several reading throught out your room(area). Humidity can change quickly. The humidity out side one day may be low. If the humidity or wind shifts direction. You may have high within minutes. The state in which I live in the out door humidity has been somewhat low this spring. However when the jet stream is pulling from the south humidity(outdoors) goes up. The last week and a half I have been running the dehumidifer to keep at 43-45%. Without it runninig I read about 48-52%. There has been several weeks that I did not run the dehumidifer at all. Just don't let it drive you crazy.. I check mine in the morning and early evening.
Yes, ideally you want to see the humidity around 43-45% year round. Remember you body will throw off humidity as well. If it is sensitive when you come close to it will rise suddenly. Yes, low humidity for a period can be just as bad as high levels. Low will dry out all sorts of things like leather, paper, wood, shrink some plastics, and clay. It can also stress some stiches on fabric.
Just take a reading out side. see what it is. If it stays dry inside open up a window slightly and see if that helps. Remember a day or three will not hurt anything that quick. Hope this helps Paul

[Stahlhelm]

One of the ever-frustrating facts is that some items like leather (typically a part of militaria collections) requires more humidity to preserve it than metal items. What's better for one is worse for the other, and vice versa.

Chris

[WhitePhantom]

Well its a good thing the only thing i have in my dispaly case at the moment are medals. I do hope to acquire a dagger after i have found a job (maybe within the next few weeks). So for now the only thing i have to worry about is the fabric ribbons.

I opened the window and placed the meter on the window sill and it went down to 27% himidity. Guess i will jsut have to use some trial and error on this.

[Stahlhelm]

Yes, trial and error is about the best thing one can do in this case. With the ever-changing weather/humidity conditions, it's petty much trial and error on a daily basis.

Chris

[WhitePhantom]

Today its been at 38%(lowest) and 45%(highest). Its been 45% for a few hours now and i have the windows open. It was raining earlier too. Hopefully its a good environment that wont promote any corrosion of items.