With adequate protection against moisture damage an imperative for Garments exporters worldwide, ensuring moisture control in garment storage is vital to eliminate bad odour and prevent the growth of fungi and mould. Garments absorb moisture during the making and packaging process and develop bad odour, fungi, mould and mildew during their storage and long transit period. Packaging and storing garments in a moisture-controlled environment are essential steps to ensure the safe storage and transportation of garments, minimizing the risk of client rejection.
What Causes Humidity in Garment Storage and Packaging Areas?
The main causes of excess humidity in garment storage and packaging areas stem from the environmental conditions during processing, packaging, and transit. During these stages, garments often encounter warm and moist air, which leads to moisture absorption and subsequent sealing of moisture inside polythene packaging. In environments with 90% humidity and an ambient temperature of 30°C, air can hold up to 30g of water per cubic meter. As shipping containers traverse various climates, temperature fluctuations occur, exacerbating moisture-related issues.
When containers encounter lower temperatures, garments cool, causing moisture-absorbing fabrics to release water vapor. The cold environment within the plastic packaging prevents vapour absorption, resulting in condensation as the container’s temperature drops below the dew point. This excess moisture fosters the growth of fungi, mold, and mildew, leading to odours and potential rejections by clients.
Furthermore, inadequate ventilation in storage facilities can elevate humidity levels, creating a conducive environment for moisture accumulation. Additionally, improper sealing of packaging materials can allow external moisture to infiltrate, compounding the problem. These factors underscore the importance of implementing comprehensive strategies for moisture control in garment storage to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
Why Moisture Control in Garment Storage Important?
Garments when processed and packed in a humid environment, where the air is warm and moist, absorbs moisture from the air and moisture get sealed inside the polythene packaging. Under conditions of 90% humidity and ambient temperature of 30°C, one cubic meter of air contains nearly 30g of water. As container travels across different geographic locations and varied climatic zones, it undergoes many cycles of change.
When the outside temperature of the container drops, garments get cooled, causing hygroscopic or moisture absorbing clothing to release water vapour. The cold temperature inside the plastic packaging prevents the water vapour from being absorbed into the air. This moisture condenses as the temperature of the shipping container and air inside polythene falls below the dew point of the air trapped within the plastic packaging. All this moisture around the product could lead to serious issues of bad odour, fungi, moulds and mildew during shipping which could eventually result in rejections and economic damage to the exporter.
Bry-Air Solution for Moisture Control in Garment Storage Areas
Bad odour and fungus growth are reduced to acceptable levels in case garments are allowed to dry with dehumidified air and packed in a moisture-controlled environment.
Firstly garments are kept inside the room (dry room) under dehumidified conditions for 4-5 hours at 35 ± 5% RH at a temperature slightly above ambient to allow the surface moisture from the items to go away. Then, dried garments are to be packed in a room (packing room) at an RH of 35 ± 5% at ambient temperature. The suitable tonnage of the air conditioner is to be used for maintaining temperature (not below 29°C) for the people working inside.
Bry-Air has successfully sold over 100 units specifically designed for moisture control in garment storage to manufacturers and exporters across the globe.
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