Excess humidity is a problem that many struggle with when it comes to self-storage. Unless you have a climate controlled storage unit, chances are you'll always be worried about mold and mildew taking hold of your belongings due to higher-than-normal moisture levels.

While a dehumidifier offers the best results for keeping your storage unit dry, you might not always have the time or space to operate one constantly. Fortunately, there are plenty of other creative ways of laying your moisture fears to rest.

Charcoal Briquettes

It turns out charcoal briquettes aren't just for barbecuing. Charcoal briquettes are also useful for controlling moisture in small spaces thanks to their moisture absorbing capabilities. A bag of charcoal briquettes is likely to be cheaper and easier to find than silica gel. In addition, charcoal briquettes can also absorb bad odors.

Clay Kitty Litter

Clay cat litter is another popular go to for keeping excess moisture at bay inside storage units. Like charcoal, clay is a material that readily absorbs moisture, making it useful in areas with higher-than-normal relative humidity. Clay cat litter is also one of the more affordable ways of keeping your storage unit dry -- it's not out of the ordinary to see cat litter being sold for less than $5 per bag.

Silica Gel

If you've ever opened up an electronic device or a brand-new pair of shoes, then chances are you've found a tiny pack or two of silica gel. Silica gel is a desiccant material whose moisture-absorbing properties have made it highly popular for long-term use in storage units, packaging and other applications.

Unlike clay kitty litter (and charcoal, to an extent), you can easily reactivate and reuse silica gel packets. All you need to do is place them in an oven set no higher than 240 degrees Fahrenheit and wait as the trapped moisture is drawn out of the beads, which could take up to 24 hours to do. Some varieties of silica gel are designed to change color throughout the process, gaining a darker shade as the drying process progresses.

Cedar Wood Blocks

if you're feeling a bit outdoorsy, then you may want to try cedar wood. An aromatic cedar wood block is capable of absorbing excess moisture along with any strange odors. Not only can cedar wood blocks absorb moisture, but the strong aroma also serves as an effective repellent against moths.

The only caveat is that you'll need to "reactivate" the cedar wood every few months by exposing the block surface with sandpaper. However, this can be done as many times as needed with little loss in effectiveness.