Storing things in a cellar which might be damp

[DrowningInThings]

We're moving to a new build and they've said the cellars will be slightly damp for the first year as the concrete dries out. Obviously we need to store things like out of season clothes in the cellar as well have limited room in the flat. Am I right in thinking that as long as clothes are in vacuum bags they'll be ok? We'll run a dehumidifier down there as well, what else do I need to think about and consider when storing things?
Does everything fabric need to be vacuum packed? What about papers and photos?

Cellars should be damps that’s their purpose!

Why on earth should cellars be damp?

No I don’t think they’ll be ok at all. I definitely wouldn’t be storing clothes, paper or photos there. Nor furniture for that matter, rugs nor anything made of fabric. Garden furniture, tools, bicycles, boots - yes

May as well throw them out because of it's damp, they'll be moldy and ruined.

Why is the concrete taking so late ng to dry?

Definitely don't store anything perishable down there until it's reliably dry.

I'd also seek advice on using a dehumidifier down there as speeding up the drying process might affect the cement curing.

dont store things down there. they will get ruined and mouldy.

rent an indoors storage unit for a year if you’re short of space or turn a bedroom into a storage room.

Definitely don’t store anything down there except maybe bikes or similar.

Leave anything on waterproof 'feet' to allow air to circulate

Get a dehumidifier down there

All my leather handbags and boots were ruined by mildew in a spare bedroom within three months. Was an old stone built cottage. No central heating.

Yup same with my silks, wools, leather in an old wardrobe.
Luckily not all of them. But couldn’t save the damaged ones.

Just going to add in another don't do it. I have lost a few clothes due to damp rental properties and that was in a bedroom let alone a basement. Luckily they weren't valuable.
My husband just lost photos and other sentimental bits to an airing cupboard that was completely dry for 18 years then a radiator decided to drip slowly over a couple of weeks and it was all ruined. Do not underestimate the destructive power of damp.

I store quite a lot of things in my garage which is damp.

I put things in large Really Useful boxes and add a couple of disposable dehumidifiers (the moisture trap type) and so far all is good. They do fill up with water and I change at least twice a year.

I have a box of old sheets that I use as dust covers when painting, and a box of dh's random crap that includes school year books and so far they've been there for 11 years with no issues.

I wouldn't do it with anything precious.