Here is a simple routine that works at home, and what to do if you would rather not manage it through the monsoon.
Aim for 40 to 50 percent humidity
Photographers and repair technicians commonly recommend keeping camera gear in a dry, steady place at roughly 40 to 50 percent relative humidity. Fungus tends to take hold when humidity stays above about 60 percent for long periods, which is common indoors during the monsoon.
A small digital hygrometer is cheap and tells you what your cupboard is really like. Put one next to your gear.
Use an airtight box with desiccant
- Keep the camera and lenses in a hard, sealable case or a dry box, not on an open shelf.
- Add silica gel packs or a reusable desiccant. Refresh or reactivate them as the pack says, because saturated silica gel stops working.
- Leave lens caps on and store lenses separately from the body.
- Take out batteries and memory cards before storing.
What to avoid
- Fabric camera bags and leather cases. They hold moisture, so take gear out of them for long-term storage.
- Cardboard boxes. They absorb damp from the air and can grow mould.
- Outer walls, bathrooms, kitchens and floor level, where it is usually dampest.
- Direct sunlight and heat, which can damage rubber seals and electronics.
- Sealing gear in plastic without desiccant. It can trap whatever moisture is already inside.
Use it, do not just store it
Every few weeks, take the camera out, zoom and focus the lenses, and check the hygrometer and the desiccant. Airflow and regular use help keep lenses healthy. If you see haze, spots or a web-like pattern inside a lens, stop using it and take it to a repair technician.
If you will not use it for months
A dedicated electronic dry cabinet works well, but it takes space and power. Another option is to hand the gear to a storage service so it is not sitting in a damp cupboard all monsoon.
Before you do, ask any provider how items are packed and recorded, what conditions they are kept in, and whether insurance is offered. RentMint does not offer insurance yet. With RentMint, each item is photographed on intake, tagged with its own QR code and sealed. A camera is on our Small plan at ₹99 per item per month. Tell us what you are storing and we will confirm we can take it.
Last updated 6 October 2026. General advice only: check with a technician for valuable or delicate items.
