coolkayaker1
Well-known member
I have been trying to humidify my ukuleles for a home with winter humidity at 30%.
The uke case and soundhole versions I own from Planet Wave, plus the clay one from Herco. The little sponges for $10-$20 each hold little water, need frequent refills, and may eventually mold my fuzzy cases. They are expensive for what they are (having enough for three ukuleles could be $30-$60 total). They occupy valuable case space, and I must put my ukes in and out of the cases, which can be burdensome.
My room is too large for a whole room humidifier. I’ve tried it and the humidity level changes inconsequentially.
Bringing my ukes into the bathroom each time I take a shower worked, but was a chore.
SOLUTION: Sterilite (or other brand) under-bed clear plastic storage box ($18 at Wal-Mart). The flat ones (approx. 4 feet by 3 feet by only 6 inches high), usually for storing sweater and clothes underneath the bed, sometimes with plastic wheels to push it on the floor. It has a lid included with a nice tight fit. Here's the same one I use, but it's cheapr at Wal-mart:
http://www.amazon.com/Underbed-Plas...62/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1324670787&sr=8-14
Added two .99 cent artificial car wash sponges (8 inches by 4 inches by 2 inches), each in a one gallon Ziplock type bag. I didn’t punch holes in the bag—I just left the end open (unsealed). I just wet them thoroughly and put them next to the ukes (but not touching) in the plastic under-bed box.
I can lay two soprano ukes easily in the box, plus the sponges, and still have room for at least a third ukulele if I wanted (maybe four if I laid they right). Very easy to flip open the lid and grab a uke, or replace one (easier than a case). If molds, replace sponges and Ziplock bags. Cost of two sponges and two bags = $2.50. The $18 Sterilite box should last until well after I’m dead and gone. Total investment to store up to three ukuleles: $20.50 plus tax.
Results: Room remained at 30-35% humidity. Within one night, the humidity in the plastic box ( keep a digital gauge in there) was 71%! It was like a freaking terrarium in there. Concerned for the opposite of dryness (mold, wet rot, warpage, etc.), I vented the top about three inches and will check a reading later, but vented, it was down to 64% in about 15 minutes.
UPDATE: I UPDATED THIS THREAD ON 2/25 WITH PIX ABOVE.
The uke case and soundhole versions I own from Planet Wave, plus the clay one from Herco. The little sponges for $10-$20 each hold little water, need frequent refills, and may eventually mold my fuzzy cases. They are expensive for what they are (having enough for three ukuleles could be $30-$60 total). They occupy valuable case space, and I must put my ukes in and out of the cases, which can be burdensome.
My room is too large for a whole room humidifier. I’ve tried it and the humidity level changes inconsequentially.
Bringing my ukes into the bathroom each time I take a shower worked, but was a chore.
SOLUTION: Sterilite (or other brand) under-bed clear plastic storage box ($18 at Wal-Mart). The flat ones (approx. 4 feet by 3 feet by only 6 inches high), usually for storing sweater and clothes underneath the bed, sometimes with plastic wheels to push it on the floor. It has a lid included with a nice tight fit. Here's the same one I use, but it's cheapr at Wal-mart:
http://www.amazon.com/Underbed-Plas...62/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1324670787&sr=8-14
Added two .99 cent artificial car wash sponges (8 inches by 4 inches by 2 inches), each in a one gallon Ziplock type bag. I didn’t punch holes in the bag—I just left the end open (unsealed). I just wet them thoroughly and put them next to the ukes (but not touching) in the plastic under-bed box.
I can lay two soprano ukes easily in the box, plus the sponges, and still have room for at least a third ukulele if I wanted (maybe four if I laid they right). Very easy to flip open the lid and grab a uke, or replace one (easier than a case). If molds, replace sponges and Ziplock bags. Cost of two sponges and two bags = $2.50. The $18 Sterilite box should last until well after I’m dead and gone. Total investment to store up to three ukuleles: $20.50 plus tax.
Results: Room remained at 30-35% humidity. Within one night, the humidity in the plastic box ( keep a digital gauge in there) was 71%! It was like a freaking terrarium in there. Concerned for the opposite of dryness (mold, wet rot, warpage, etc.), I vented the top about three inches and will check a reading later, but vented, it was down to 64% in about 15 minutes.
UPDATE: I UPDATED THIS THREAD ON 2/25 WITH PIX ABOVE.
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