Air-tight containers

[Luma39]

Does anyone have experience using an air-tight container to store their cards? The house I'm currently renting does not have any means of climate control during the summer months, and I'm trying to figure out a way to protect my cards without keeping them locked up in a bank.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Volod]

Unless you're living in the fetid swampland of the deep south and prefer to keep the cards out for display, it's hard to imagine they would be harmed under normal storage conditions. I have kept all of mine in ordinary polyester sleeves and in cardboard storage boxes for over thirty years, with no detectable signs of environmental damage. Those cheapo plastic storage containers with tight lids that are sold in discount stores hold about a dozen standard count card boxes and are probably about as close to a hermetic seal as you could hope to find. Hope this helps.

[RollieFingers]

Originally Posted by Volod

Unless you're living in the fetid swampland of the deep south and prefer to keep the cards out for display, it's hard to imagine they would be harmed under normal storage conditions. I have kept all of mine in ordinary polyester sleeves and in cardboard storage boxes for over thirty years, with no detectable signs of environmental damage. Those cheapo plastic storage containers with tight lids that are sold in discount stores hold about a dozen standard count card boxes and are probably about as close to a hermetic seal as you could hope to find. Hope this helps.

The Cards in boxes though?
If the box isn't full and they lean and slide..or if you put them sideways in a box as opposed to stacked on top of each other like a deck of cards...don't they tend to start curving?

[TheNightmanCometh]

Put them in a sleeve, then a hard top loader, then in a cardboard box, and they'll be fine. Trust me, that's all you need to do.

[RollieFingers]

Originally Posted by TheNightmanCometh

Put them in a sleeve, then a hard top loader, then in a cardboard box, and they'll be fine. Trust me, that's all you need to do.

Not if you gave thousands of cards though lol

[Zach Wheat]

For those that want a little more protection - for $10-20 you can find refurbished ammo boxes at Gander Mountain, Bass Pro, or Harry's Army Surplus, etc. The 7.62 boxes have a rubber seal at the top, providing limited heat resistance in the event of fire/flood as well as some moisture/water protection. You can replace the rubber gaskets at the top if needed.

In addition, they fit side-to-side, a PSA graded case exactly so they don't wiggle and come with a convenient storage handle.

Z

[TheNightmanCometh]

Originally Posted by RollieFingers

Not if you gave thousands of cards though lol

I couldn't imagine a scenario where someone would have thousands of unprotected cards that should be protected and never took the time to protect them as they were collected.

Unless you buy a giant lot from someone who knew nothing about cards.

[Luma39]

Originally Posted by TheNightmanCometh

Put them in a sleeve, then a hard top loader, then in a cardboard box, and they'll be fine. Trust me, that's all you need to do.

That's how I currently have them stored, my only concern is temperature and humidity

[TheNightmanCometh]

Originally Posted by Luma39

That's how I currently have them stored, my only concern is temperature and humidity

As long as you're not storing them in a sauna you should be fine.

[the 'stache]

Hi luma39. As you can see from my profile, I live in Texas, just outside of Dallas, to be specific. And let me tell you, it gets really humid here late in the spring/early in the summer. I have a safe deposit box for my most valuable cards, and while it is climate controlled, I keep a silica gel desiccant in the box with the cards, just as a backup. I've linked the one I use. They're easy to use. When the color changes, indicating it's absorbed the maximum moisture, throw it in the over for an hour, and it's good to go. There are other varieties that you just plug in; same general concept.

[Luma39]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Hi luma39. As you can see from my profile, I live in Texas, just outside of Dallas, to be specific. And let me tell you, it gets really humid here late in the spring/early in the summer. I have a safe deposit box for my most valuable cards, and while it is climate controlled, I keep a silica gel desiccant in the box with the cards, just as a backup. I've linked the one I use. They're easy to use. When the color changes, indicating it's absorbed the maximum moisture, throw it in the over for an hour, and it's good to go. There are other varieties that you just plug in; same general concept.

Sounds good, I'll have to pick some up, thanks Bill.